Family: Apocynaceae
Author: (L.) R.Br.
Bibliography: Asclepiadeae: 64 (1810)
Year: 1810
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Alstonia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Asia to N. Australia
Description
Ditabark, also known scientifically as Alstonia scholaris, is a remarkable tree that belongs to the family Apocynaceae. This majestic tree is native to tropical and subtropical regions, extending from Asia to Northern Australia. It is particularly renowned for its medicinal properties and ecological significance.
Alstonia scholaris typically grows to an impressive height, contributing to the dense canopy of the forests it inhabits. The tree is characterized by its straight trunk and smooth, greyish bark, which gives rise to its common name, “Ditabark.” The leaves of the Ditabark are arranged in whorls and are leathery in texture, with a glossy finish that reflects sunlight, making the tree distinguishable even from a distance.
The tree blooms with clusters of small, fragrant flowers that are white or greenish-yellow in color, attracting various pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Following the flowering phase, it produces elongated, slender seed pods that house an array of seeds with tufts of silky hair, aiding in wind dispersal.
Alstonia scholaris has a storied history, especially in traditional medicine. Various parts of the tree have been used to treat different ailments. For instance, the bark is known for its bitter taste and has been traditionally used for its antimalarial and antipyretic properties. The latex derived from the tree has also found use in treating skin ailments and as a remedy for snake bites.
Apart from its medicinal uses, the wood of Alstonia scholaris is valued in carpentry and construction, though not as durable as teak or mahogany. It is relatively easy to work with and thus favored for making furniture, light construction, and even educational tools like blackboards, reflecting its historic use in scholastic environments, from which it garners part of its scientific name, “scholaris.”
Ecologically, Ditabark plays a crucial role in its native habitats. It serves as an important food source for various wildlife species. Furthermore, the tree’s ability to grow in different soil types and conditions makes it a resilient species, contributing to forest stability and regeneration.
The bibliographic reference to Asclepiadeae (1810) underscores the long-standing recognition and study of this tree within botanical circles. Authored by (L.) R.Br., it highlights the historical and scientific context in which Alstonia scholaris has been appreciated and documented.
In summary, Ditabark, or Alstonia scholaris, is not just a tree; it is a beacon of ecological resilience, traditional medicinal wisdom, and historical significance, continuing to thrive across tropical and subtropical landscapes from Asia to Northern Australia. Its contributions to biodiversity, human health, and even education, make it a tree of unparalleled importance.
Common Names
Spa: alistonia
Eng: dogbane, blackboardtree, deviltree, ditabark, milkwood-pine, milky-bean, milky-pine, pali-mari, palmira alstonia, white cheesewood, white-pine, blackboard tree, milkwood pine
Deu: teufelsbaum
Fra: echite
Msa: pulai, pulai itam
Ind: pulai, waser
Khm: ឆ័ត្ររួត
Vie: cay sua, mo cua
Tha: puulaa puu teh, sataban, teenpet khaao, tin pet dam, tin pet khao
Lao: tin pet
En: Ditabark, Palmira alstonia, White cheesewood, Pali-mari, Milkwood-pine, Milky-bean, Milky-pine, Deviltree, Blackboardtree, White-pine, Dogbane, Blackboard Tree, Indian devil tree, Milkwood Pine, Polay, Pulé
Bn: ছাতিম
My: စရည်း
Zh: Tang jiao shu, 糖胶树, 黑板樹
Et: Orgasmi-pagoodipuu
Fr: Echite
De: Teufelsbaum
Gu: સપ્તપર્ણી
He: עץ השטן
Hi: सप्तपर्ण
Id: Pulai, Waser
Jv: Pulé putih
Kn: ಹಾಲೆ ಮರ
Km: ឆ័ត្ររួត
Lo: Tin Pet
Ms: Pulai, Pulai lilin, Pulai Itam
Ml: ഏഴിലംപാല
Mr: सैतान
Ne: छतिवन
Sd: ڦڳڻ ڦلاريو
Si: රුක්අත්තන
Es: Alistonia
Su: Lamé
Zh-tw: 黑板樹
Ta: ஏழிலைப்பாலை
Te: ఏడాకుల పాల
Th: พญาสัตบรรณ, Puulaa Puu Teh, Sataban, Teenpet Khaao, Tin Pet Dam, Tin Pet Khao
Zh-hant: 黑板樹
Vi: Hoa sữa, Cay Sua, Mo Cua
Synonyms
- Alstonia scholaris var. avae (A.DC.)
- Nerium septaparna (Jones)
- Alstonia scholaris var. blumei (A.DC.)
- Pala scholaris ((L.) Roberty)
- Alstonia kurzii (Hook.f.)
- Echites scholaris (L.)
- Aeschynomene laevis (Noronha)
- Alstonia spectabilis (Kurz)
- Echites pala (Buch.-Ham. ex Spreng.)
- Alstonia scholaris var. velutina (Monach.)
Distribution
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- India (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Laccadive Is. (native)
- Laos (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nepal (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Hainan (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Mar 2, 2022 by Fahrurrozi Angria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 5, 2020 by Lisa Ani (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 22, 2020 by Aman Vyas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Tara (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 5, 2020 by Lisa Ani (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Mar 30, 2020 by S R (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 21, 2017 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 21, 2017 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 17, 2022 by maurin maurin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 22, 2020 by Aman Vyas (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 20, 2018 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 2, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 27, 2022 by JP (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 21, 2017 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 21, 2017 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2019 by Jing Wei Yeong (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 5, 2020 by Lisa Ani (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Feb 2, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Raj Mishra (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 27, 2021 by sanketh kulkarni (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 21, 2020 by Dipanwita Mitra (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 18, 2022 by Niha Tamuli (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 28, 2019 by Jing Wei Yeong (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 22, 2022 by Om Prakash (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 18, 2020 by AYE THEINT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 22, 2020 by Aman Vyas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 4, 2021 by Dr Sandeep Kumar Yadav Sandeep (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60445977-2)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5414410)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.)
