Milkwood tree

Milkwood Tree

Scientific name: Alstonia scholaris (Indian Devil Tree)

Family: Apocynaceae

Local uses & fun facts: Bark used in Ayurveda for malaria/fever; wood used for school slates (hence “scholaris”).

Ecological role: Evergreen canopy tree; carbon sink; nectar for bees.

Cultural significance: Considered sacred in parts of India; called “Saptaparni” and linked to rituals.