Common Name: Devil Tree

General Information

Alstonia scholaris is a medium to large stately tree, growing to about 40 metres tall with a somewhat tessellated corky grey to grey-white bark[, ]. The bole is cylindrical and up to 125cm in diameter, on older trees it is strongly fluted[, ]. The trees are often deciduous, losing their leaves for brief periods at irregular intervals[, ].
The tree is often exploited for its valuable timber, and is considered to be a good timber tree in moist, protected environments. A popular medicinal herb, it is harvested in quantity from the wild and is often sold in local markets[]. It is also often planted for its ornamental and shade value[, ].
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia. Indonesia, Philippines to Australia and the Solomon Isles.

Habitat

A dominant canopy species found in coastal mesophyll vine forest with a canopy height of 35 - 42 metres, in palm-dominated forests and in notophyll vine forests[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	40.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeding in reasonably moist lowland tropical and subtropical areas, it is found at elevations from sea level to around 900 metres[]. It grows best in areas that have a mean annual temperature in the range 12 - 32°c, and a mean annual rainfall of 1,200 - 1,400 mm[]. It grows most commonly in monsoonal areas where the mean annual rainfall can range between 1,000 - 3,800mm[, ].
Prefers a sunny position in a fertile, moist, but well-drained soil[]. Plants are tolerant of a range of soils, and have been grown successfully on shallow soils over coral, where it is only a small tree[].
Trees are moderately fast growing[]. Specimens in India have reached a height of 3.6 metres within 3.5 years. In Taiwan, plants reached an average of 23.5 metres in height in 18 years, whilst a maximum of 35 metres in height was attained at the age of 41 years[].
Trees only flower after marked periods of dry weather[]. When in flower, they are often surrounded by pollinating bees and butterflies[]. The fruits open on the tree and the seeds, which have a tuft of silky hairs at each end, are dispersed by wind[].
Trees coppice freely[]. This species has been managed as a fuelwood species in Sri Lanka under a short coppice rotation of 6 - 8 years[].
Natural regeneration is often scarce; seedlings are found scattered in groups, particularly in open places at forest edges and in secondary forest. Regeneration can be enhanced by enrichment planting using the strip system, but sufficient opening of the canopy is essential for optimal growth of the seedlings[].

Edible Uses

The latex provides a good quality chewing gum[].

Medicinal

The bark is a bitter, astringent, alterative herb that lowers fevers, relaxes spasms, stimulates lactation and expels intestinal worms[]. It is anthelmintic, anticholeric, antispasmodic, astringent, emmenagogue, febrifuge, tonic and vulnerary[]. It is used to treat bowel complaints, abdominal pains, fevers and irregular menstruation, and has proved a valuable remedy for chronic diarrhoea and the advanced stages of dysentery[, ].
A decoction is applied as a wash for skin diseases, and as a gargle[].

The latex obtained from the bark is considered to be powerfully tonic, vermifuge[]. It has been used for treating neuralgia and toothache[]. It is also used as an antimalarial drug[]. The latex is drunk in small amounts as a poison antidote[].
The latex is applied externally to ulcers and for rheumatic pains[]. It is applied to sores in order to keep maggots out[].

The leaves are used for treating beriberi, dropsy and congested liver[].
A poultice made from the leaves has been reported as a good remedy against skin diseases[]. An infusion of the crushed leaves is used to clean infected wounds[].

Other Uses

The bark yields a fibre[].

A yellow dye obtained from the bark is used on cotton fabrics[].

The flowers yield an essential oil[].

The heartwood is cream to pale yellow; it is not distinct from the wide band of sapwood. The texture is fairly fine but variable; the grain is even, sometimes twisted or curly; the wood often has a strong, faintly sweetish odour and a bitter taste. The wood is light in weight, soft, it is not very durable, with one report saying it is not attacked by insects[], whilst another says it is liable to termites, pinhole and marine borers, and the sapwood is highly susceptible to lyctid borers[]. It is very liable to blue stain, so needs to be seasoned quickly. The wood is very easy to work, but cross sections can only be smoothed with an exceedmgly sharp tool. This tree is the most important source of pulai timber. It is used for light construction, ceilings, pattern making, corestock, plywood, carving and mouldings. The wood is also used for making coffins in Sri Lanka and school blackboards in Myanmar. It is regarded as suitable for pulp and paper production[, , ].
The tree has been recommended as a fuelwood species for the patana lands of Sri Lanka[]. The charcoal is used as gun powder[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a sunny position[]. The germination rate of fresh seeds is high, nearly 100%, with sprouting commencing after 12 days and continuing for about 3 months[, ]. Seeds can be stored in closed tins for 2 months, maintaining a germination rate of 90%[].
The seeds are difficult to collect because the fruits open while still on the tree[].
A. Scholaris has been grafted. Cleft grafting and inverted T-grafting have been found to be most appropriate.

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