Match stick tree
Alstonia macrophylla

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 20 m tall. The bark is smooth. The branches are angled. The leaves are in rings of 3 or 4. They are 10-53 cm long by 4-19 cm wide. They are hairy underneath. The flowers are at the ends of branches.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Indonesia it grows up to 1,500 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, China, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The root is roasted and used for flavouring. The bark is scraped and used with water as a drink.

Edible parts

Root - flavouring, bark - drink

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Ajooras, Pohon pulai daun lebar, Poole batoo

Synonyms

Alstonia acuminata Miq.; Alstonia batino Blanco; Alstonia brassii Monach.; Alstonia glabrifolia Markgr.; Alstonia oblongifolia Merr.; Alstonia pangkorensis King & Gamble; Alstonia paucinervia Merr.; Alstonia subsessilis Miq.;