9
Alstonia
venenata R. Br.
Synonym : Blaberopus venenatus (R.Br.) A.DC.
Family
: Apocynaceae
Local Names
: Kuttippala, Palamunpala, Theeppala, Devil Tree
Flowering
and fruiting period:
February – August
Distribution: Peninsular India
Habitat: Moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests,
often in forests clearings
IUCN
status:
Data deficient
Endemic:
Yes
Uses: Roots and fruits are believed to
be useful for skin diseases, leprosy, cobra and other venomous bites, epilepsy,
fatigue, fever, syphilis, insanity, helminthiasis, epilepsy, as remedy for
impure blood.
Key
Characters:
Shrubs or small trees. Leaves linear-oblong,
acuminate at both ends, 5 at each node, lateral nerves many, very close. Cymes
terminal, to 20 cm across, corymbose. Flowers many; pedicels stout; sepals 1 mm
long, ovate, acute, ciliate; corolla tube slender, hairy inside, lobes 13 mm
long, oblong, acute, white. Follicle 2-angled, acute; seeds smooth.
