ALSTOANIA ANGUSTILOBA

Alstonia angustiloba, is a tree up to 40 m tall, with a pagoda-shaped crown, and tiered branching. It has bark dark grey, smooth when young, becoming slightly cracked when it gets older. The wood is pale yellow and soft. It is the preferred local food plant for caterpillars of the moths. Its flowers are also insect-pollinated.

Taxonomy:

• ​Family : Apocynaceae

Common Names:

• Malay : Pulai, Pulai Lilin
  
• Indonesia : Pulai Hitam

Habitat and Distribution:

Alstonia angustiloba thrive in tropical regions. It is natively distributed in Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo and Java. Often found in Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest.

Uses:

• Timber & Products : The soft wood is used in making floor boards, household items, matches and posts.

Traditional Medicinal Properties:

In Southeast Asia countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, the plant is used in traditional medicine to treat headaches, skin sores and gynecological problems.
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, contain white, milky sap which can cause an allergic reaction especially for those with sensitive skin.