Alstonia spatulata

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 25 m high. The stem has white latex. The leaves are in rings. They are simple. The flowers are 14 mm across. They are white to yellow and have a scent. The fruit are dry pods 20 cm long. There are pairs. There are many small seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests upto 500 m above sea level. It is usually in swamps and along rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The gum is chewed like chewing gum.

Edible parts

Gum - chewing

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Lame, Pulai, Pulai banang, Pulai basung, Pulai kapas, Pulia rawa

Synonyms

Alstonia cochinchinensis Pierre ex Pit.; Alstonia cuneata Wall. ex G. Don;