Dita bark, Scholar tree
Alstonia scholaris

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A tall tree. It grows 40 m tall. It has buttresses. The bark is brown and cracked. The leaves are spaced along the branches and are in rings. The leaves are entire and oval. They are dark green and blue-green underneath. The flowers are in the axils of leaves near the ends of branches. The flowers have a sweet scent. The fruit follicles are 30 cm long. The fruit are yellow to green and not fleshy. The seeds are about 5 mm long. They are rounded at both ends.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in the wet zone. It grows in coastal areas in Papua New Guinea. In southern China it grows between 200-1,000 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bougainville, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The bark is used as a spice and to flavour liqueurs. The latex is used for chewing gum.

Edible parts

Leaves, bark - spice, latex, sap, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Ai-hanek, Andaragan, Bintihung, Blackboard tree, Chatim, Chattiwan, Dalipawen, Dirita, Dita, Herina, Kambuu, Katung, Letpan-ga, Lettok, Manakat, Plantan, Pohan pulai papan tulis, Pollay, Po-leh, Pulai lilin, Purbuk-kung, Rite, Ruk aththana, Saptparna, Sattaban, Taung-mayo, Taung meok, Tin pet, White cheesewood, Zej kaus nyawv

Synonyms

Echites scholaris L.; Pala scholaris (L.) Roberty;