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Alstonia angustiloba

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Alstonia angustiloba Miq.

Family Name: Apocynaceae
Synonyms: Alstonia pneumatophora Monach. var. petiolata
Common Name: Common Pulai, Pulai, 黑板树, 橡皮树

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Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Big (>30m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Tiered
Maximum Height 25 m to 40 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 10 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, and Java
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a tree up to 40 m tall, with a pagoda-shaped crown, and tiered branching.
Trunk Bark dark grey, smooth when young, becoming slightly cracked when it gets older. The wood is pale yellow and soft.
Foliage Its four- to nine-whorled, stalked leaves have somewhat leathery leaf blades that are oval-shaped, glossy dark green above, pale green below, and 4.5–22 by 2.1–7 cm, with short tips. Its leaf blades also possess numerous secondary veins that are almost perpendicular to the midrib. Milky-white latex is exuded from the broken leaf parts.
Flowers Its fragrant flowers are creamy white, 8.5 mm wide, and develop in clusters of 3–8 at the end of the twigs, on 3–14 cm-long shoots.
Fruit Its fruits develop as a pair of pods that are smooth, 15–35 by 0.2–0.6 cm, covered with brown hairs, and contain many seeds. Its dark brown, wind-dispersed seeds are smooth, oblong, flat, and 5–7 by 1.3–1.5 mm.
Habitat It grows in primary and secondary forests, in swamps, on hills, loam or sandy soils up to 200 m altitude. It is known locally from Western Catchment, Nee Soon, Bukit Mandai, Bukit Timah, Upper Pierce Reservoir, Tampines, Pulau Ubin, Mount Faber, and Lazarus Island.
Associated Fauna It is the preferred local food plant for caterpillars of the moths, Daphnis hypothous, and Parotis marginata. Its flowers are also insect-pollinated.
Cultivation It can be propagated by seed.
Etymology Latin Alstonia, commemorates Dr. Charles Alston (1685–1760), a professor of botany at Edinburgh University; Latin angustiloba means having narrow lobes, referring to the narrow calyx lobes of the flower
Ethnobotanical Uses Medicinal: Traditional Medicinal Uses
In Southeast Asia countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, the plant is used in traditional medicine to treat headaches <1>, skin sores and gynecological problems. <2>

It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. As all Apocynaceae species, Alstonia angustiloba contain white, milky sap which can cause an allergic reaction especially for those with sensitive skin. Medical advice should be sought before use.  
Timber & Products: The soft wood is used in making floor boards, household items, matches, and posts.
Cultural / Religious: Heritage Tree : There are 11 individuals of Alstonia angustiloba listed as Heritage Trees in Singapore. They are found all over Singapore. To find out more about these trees, please visit the Heritage Tree Register.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It is planted along expressways, major roads, and in urban landscapes as an ornamental tree because of its attractive growth form. It is also tolerant of a wide range of soil types from waterlogged to drier conditions.
Desirable Plant Features Fragrant (Flowers) (Day, Night), Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form
Landscape Uses General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Riverine, Shade Providing Tree / Palm
Thematic Landscaping Naturalistic Garden, Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Caterpillar Moth Food Plant (Leaves, Associated with: Parotis marginata)
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Leathery
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Whorled
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Oval)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) White
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Flower Symmetry Radial

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Follicle

References

References <1> Lin, K.W. (2005). Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the Jah Hut people in Malaysia. Indian Journal of Medical Science 59(4): 156-161.

<2> Mulyoutami, E., Rismawan, R. & Joshi, L. (2009). Local knowledge and management of simpukng (forest gardens) among the Dayak people in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Forest Ecology and Mangement: 1-8. 

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Master ID 1411
Species ID 2704
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 18 October 2023.
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