Alstonia Scholaris, Dita Tree, Saptaparni

Description for Alstonia Scholaris, Dita Tree, Saptaparni
Plant height: 24 – 38 inches
Plant spread: 6 – 10 inches
Botanical name of this plant is Alstonia scholaris. Generic name came after botanist, Prof. C. Alston of Edinburgh. Species name scholaris refers to the fact that the timber of this tree has traditionally been used to make wooden slates for school children.

It has rough, grey bark and large leaves that grow in clusters of seven. The flowers are small and greenish-yellow in color. The fruits are thin pods that can grow up to 20 inches long. The sap of the tree is sticky and bitter.

Common name(s): Dita tree, devil tree.
Flower colours: The fragnant flowers are greenish white
Bloom time: Late autumn to Early winter
Max reachable height: 100 feet.
Difficulty to grow: Easy
Planting and care
It has been extensively planted in India. Also seems to grow well in hot dry regions.

Sunlight: Full sun.
Soil: Fertile, moist, but well-drained soil.
Water: Keep the soil moist but not logged.
Temperature: Annual temperature in the range 12 to 32 degrees C.
Fertilizer: Apply an organic fertilizer of FYM.
Caring for Alstonia Scholaris
It grows better under moist, warm climate but cannot stand water logging.
Recommended for planting in parks, gardens and inside lawns. Suitable for avenue planting.
Harvesting
NA

Typical uses of Alstonia Scholaris
Special features: In Ayurveda it is used as a bitter and as an astringent herb for treating skin disorders, malarial fever, urticaria, chronic dysentery, diarrhea, in snake bite and for upper purification process of Panchakarma .

Culinary use: The latex provides a good quality chewing gum. It is usually used in making packing boxes, blackboards etc.

Ornamental use: It is used as the ornamental plant.

Medicinal use:

It is used to treat bowel complaints, abdominal pains, fevers and irregular menstruation, and has proved a valuable remedy for chronic diarrhea and the advanced stages of dysentery.
A decoction is applied as a wash for skin diseases, and as a gargle.

Note: The following information is general guidelines. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider for guidelines.