136
Polyalthia
longifolia (Sonner.) Thw.
Synonym : Uvaria longifolia
Sonner.
Family
: Annonaceae
Local Names
: Arannamaram, Telegraph pole
tree, Cemetery tree
Flowering
and fruiting period:
March – August
Distribution: Native of Sri Lanka,
introduced to many tropical countries
Habitat: Grown as ornamental
tree
IUCN
status:
Data Deficient
Endemic: No
Uses: Ornamental, hedge
plant, avenue plant, bowl carving
Key
Characters:
Polyalthia longifolia are tall trees;
crown conical, grayish-brown; young branches spreading, pendulous. Leaves
simple, alternate, distichous, estipulate; lamina lanceolate; margin entire,
shining above and dull beneath. Flowers bisexual, green; numerous, in umbels or
fascicles at the axis of fallen leaves; sepals 3; petals 6 (3+3), linear, broad
at base; stamens numerous; carpels many; ovule one. Fruit aggregate of berries.
