Devil Tree, Common Alstonia

Scientific Name : Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.
Common Name : Devil Tree, Common Alstonia
Chinese Name : 糖膠樹, 黑板樹, 麵條樹, 燈架樹
Family : APOCYNACEAE
Local distribution status : Exotic species

Anecdotes on plants

Origins	Southern Yunnan, southern and western Guangxi. Also distributed in tropical regions of Asia and Australia.
Meanings of names	This species has several interesting names. It is called "Sugar-Gum Tree (糖膠樹)" in Chinese, as its latex can be made into chewing gum. The Chinese name also reflects one of its uses. In Asia, its wood is made into blackboards for teaching purposes, so it was named "Blackboard Tree (黑板樹)" in Chinese. Besides, the specific epithet “scholaris” in its scientific name means “of or belonging to a school”. The Chinese name "Noodle Tree (麵條樹)" describes its linear, greyish white and drooping follicles, which look like a bunch of noodles hanging on the tree.
Applications	The Devil Tree demonstrates relatively strong apical dominance, which shapes its magnificently upright and straight posture. The elegant growth form of the tree draws a correlation to the nobility, honesty, integrity and steadfastness of people. Standing out from the crowds with easily recognised appearance, the species is widely adopted as street trees and gardening plants. The Devil Tree is also applied as folk medicine in various places, including India, Philippines, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar. In India, the Devil Tree is used to treat malaria, jaundice, gastrointestinal diseases and cancer. Scientific studies have shown that the Devil Tree has anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, contraceptive and other therapeutic functions.

Traits for identification

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Remarks

Scientific name above is based on Hong Kong Herbarium website : https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=6754

Scientific names from other databases
― Flora of China : Alstonia scholaris (Linnaeus) R. Brown
― Plants of the World Online : Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.

Reference

• Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). (2018). A Photographic Guide to Common Urban Trees of Hong Kong. 3^rd edition. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong. ISBN: 978-988-12021-3-0.
• Blaxell, D., Bryant, G., von Bery, G. L., Paddison, V. & Segall, B. (2001). Trees & Shrubs. Global Book Publishing Pty Ltd, Willoughby, Australia. ISBN: 1-7408-007-4.
• eFloras. (2008). Alstonia scholaris (Linnaeus) R. Brown. Flora of China. [Online Edition]. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 25^th May 2020, from: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200018323
• Gupta, R. S., Sharma. R., Sharma. A., Bhatnager. A. K., Dobhai. M. P., Joshi. Y. C. & Sharma. M. C. (2002). Effect of Alstonia scholaris bark extract on testicular function of Wistar rats. Asian Journal of Andrology, 4(3), 175-178. Retrieved 28^th May 2020, from: http://big5.oversea.cnki.net/kcms/detail/detail.aspx?QueryID=1&CurRec=2&DbCode=CJFD&dbname=CJFD2002&filename=YZNK200203002&uid=WEEvREcwSlJHSldRa1FhdkJtNEYwbWVjVHlVcENrUDBhZVNRZCtjeVBNST0=$9A4hF_YAuvQ5obgVAqNKPCYcEjKensW4IQMovwHtwkF4VYPoHbKxJw!!
• Hong Kong Herbarium, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department & South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2007-2011). Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. 糖膠樹. Flora of Hong Kong. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 25^th May 2020, from: https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/FloraOfHK/Species/6754/6754_S_E.pdf
• Khyade, M.S., Kasote, D. M. & Vaikos, N. P. (2014). Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. and Alstonia macrophylla Wall. ex G. Don: A comparative review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 153(1), 1-18. Retrieved 28^th May 2020, from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874114000725
• Olivetti, E. (2003). Schŏlāris. Latin-English Dictionary, Online Latin Dictionary Olivetti. Retrieved 18^th June 2020, from: https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?lemma=SCHOLARIS100
• 中國科學院植物誌編輯委員會。（1959-2004）。〈糖膠樹Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.〉。《中國植物誌》。[網上版本]。於2020年5月25日擷取自 : http://www.iplant.cn/info/Alstonia%20scholaris?t=z
• 中國科學院華南植物園。（1987）。《廣東植物誌》（第1卷）。廣州 : 廣東科技出版社。國際標準書號 : 978-7-5359-5079-6。
• 劉璇、張振海、杜萌、丁安偉、陳彥。(2012)。〈燈臺樹化學成分與藥理活性研究進展〉。《中草藥》，43(3)，598-606。於2020年5月25日擷取自 : http://big5.oversea.cnki.net/kcms/detail/detail.aspx?QueryID=1&CurRec=10&DbCode=CJFD&dbname=CJFD2012&filename=ZCYO201203045&uid=WEEvREcwSlJHSldRa1FhdkJtNEYwbWVjVHlVcENrUDBhZVNRZCtjeVBNST0=$9A4hF_YAuvQ5obgVAqNKPCYcEjKensW4IQMovwHtwkF4VYPoHbKxJw!!