Alstonia scholaris

Alstonia scholaris is a large evergreen tree in the Apocynaceae family, commonly called the blackboard tree, scholar tree, or devil’s tree. Native from South Asia to Southeast Asia and northern Australia, it can grow up to about 40 meters tall, sometimes taller in favorable conditions. The tree has glossy leaves arranged in whorls, strongly scented cream or white flowers, and paired slender fruits filled with many tufted seeds. When cut, it produces a milky latex. It is widely planted as a shade and avenue tree, and its light timber has been used for household items and paper. In traditional medicine, various parts of the tree have also been valued, although the plant is considered toxic.