Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br.

Frost-tender tree with ribbed, oval-shaped leaves, to 20cm long, usually 5-7 in a whorl, and cymes of greenish-white flowers.  To 20m.  [RHSD, Hortus]. 

Horticultural & Botanical History

First cultivated in Europe in 1803.  [Don].  Extracts of bark have in the past been used to treat bowel complaints and as a substitute for quinine. 

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.46/1850].  According to Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae [v.6 p.117/1867-68] Alstonia scholaris was noted at Broad-Sound by Bowman, Edgecombe-Bay by Fitzalan and at Rockingham’s Bay by Dallachy.  ‘Bowman’ is probably Edward Bowman, William Macarthur’s nephew. 

Notes

Published Jan 15, 2009 - 05:07 PM | Last updated Jul 14, 2010 - 11:44 AM

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The image is of a mature Alstonia scholaris tree located at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur Campur. Wikipedia.

The image is of a mature Alstonia scholaris tree located at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur Campur.  Courtesy of Wikipedia. 

Family Apocynaceae
Category
Region of origin

Africa to tropical Australia
Synonyms
  • Alstonia oleandraefolia Lodd. ex Loud. 
Common Name

Devil tree, Pali-mara
Name in the Camden Park Record

Alstonia scholaris 
Confidence level high