Sorua
Alstonia pacifica

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A slender tree. It can grow from 2 m to 20 m high. The cut bark secretes a white latex. The leaves are simple and opposite. The leaves are simple with a smooth leaf blade. They can be 7-22 cm long by 3-11 cm wide. Male and female parts are born in the same flower. Flowers are white to yellow. They are produced on long spreading branching flowering stalks. These develop towards the tip of the branches. The fruit are long and bean-like. They can be 13-38 cm long. As they mature they dry up and split open. The seeds are small, narrow, hairy and winged.

There are 43 Alstonia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Fiji, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The latex is chewed as chewing gum.

Edible parts

Latex, chewing gum

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by hardwood cuttings.

The flowers are fruit have been recorded all year round.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Alstonia costata R.Br.; Alstonia godeffroyi Reinecke; Alstonia plumosa sensu auct., non Labill.; Alstonia reinecheana Lauterb.; Alstonia setchelliana Christoph.; Tabernaemontana pacifica Seem.; Rejoua pacifica Markgraf;