Alstonia macrophylla Wall. ex
G.Don., Gen. Syst. 4 (1837)
(Latin for 'large leaves')
Synonyms
Alstonia acuminata Miq.; Alstonia batino Blanco; Alstonia
brassii Monach.; Alstonia costata Wall. ex Miq.; Alstonia
glabriflora Markgr.; Alstonia macrophylla var. acuminata (Miq.)
Monach.; Alstonia macrophylla var. glabra DC; Alstonia
macrophylla var. mollis Merr.; Alstonia oblongifolia Merr.;
Alstonia pangkorensis King & Gamble; Alstonia paucinervia Merr.;
Alstonia subsessilis Miq.
Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 30 m tall and 50 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Stem with
white latex. Leaves in whorls, simple, penni-veined. Flowers ca. 7 mm in
diameter, white, with narrow corolla tube, placed terminal on twigs. Fruits ca.
280 mm long, green, dehiscent follicles, which are placed in pairs and filled
with many wind dispersed hairy seeds.
Ecology
In undisturbed and disturbed sites up to 500 m altitude. Quite often found
near the coast, just behind mangrove forests, but also in mixed dipterocarp
forests. Usually on ridges and hillsides with sandy to clayey soils. Also
growing on ultrabasic and limestone soils.
Uses
Powdered bark mixed with water is used against skin diseases.
Distribution
Sri Lanka, Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo (Sabah and
East-Kalimantan), the Philippines, Moluccas, and New Guinea.
Local names in Borneo
Bakau; Bundu-bundu; Mangalang; Pulai daun besar; Sarakad; Sayongan; Tunjang
pipit.
