Alstonia spatulata Bl., Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 16 (1826)
(Latin for 'spatula shaped')

Synonyms
Alstonia cuneata Wall. ex G. Don.

Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 25 m tall and 40 cm dbh. Stem with copious white latex. Stipules absent. Leaves in whorls, simple, penni-veined. Flowers ca. 14 mm in diameter, white to yellow, fragrant, with narrow corolla tube. Fruits ca. 200 mm long, dehiscent dry follicle, placed in pairs, exposing many small wind dispersed seeds when open.

Ecology
In undisturbed, but often also in disturbed forests up to 500 m altitude. Usually growing in (peat) swamps and along rivers, but also found in mixed dipterocarp and keranga forests on sandy soils.

Uses
Exudate used to make chewing gum.

Distribution
Birma, Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, East-Kalimantan) and New Guinea.

Local names in Borneo
Lame, Pulai, Pulai banang, Pulai basung, Pulai kapas, Pulai paya, Pulai rawa.