Plants

Devil Tree

Alstonia scholaris

Name

Marathi:	सप्तपर्णी
Hindi:	सप्तपर्णी

Biological Classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Spermatophyta
Sub-Division:	Angiospermae
Class:	Dicotyledonae
Sub-Class:	Gamopetalae
Series:	Bicarpellatae
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Sub-Family:	--
Genus:	Alstonia
Species:	scholaris

Advantages

It is extensively planted in gardens and along roadsides.
The bark which is called as Dita-bark is bitter and used in malaria fever.

Interesting Facts

In ancient times, boards of the wood of this plant were used as school slates for writing, and hences the name "scholaris".
The tree is also called "Devil"s Tree" in many places as it is believed to be the abode of evil spirits.
The Marathi name "Saptaparni " is because, it always has 7 leaves arising from one single point.

Description

It is a tall evergreen tree with bitter milky juice, and branches which are arranged in whorls.
Flowers are greenish white and can be seen in the months of September-November.

Reference

Systematic Botany, R. N. Sutaria, Second Edition and Taxonomy of Angiosperms S. N. Pandey and S. P. Mishra.

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