Patna Park Division

Botanical Name:	Alstonia scholaris
English Name:	Satvin, Devils Tree, Pali Mara, Dita Bark Tree
Local Name:	Local name:- Marathi - Satvin, Hindi - Shaitanki Jhur, Chatwan, Chatian, Bengali - Chattim, Tamil - Palai, Elilaippala, Malayalam - Palai, Sanskrit - Saptaparni, Telugu - Edakulapala

A fast-growing deciduous tree up to 20 metres tall that is thought to have originated in India and is found throughout Asia. It is a deciduous tree that grows to about 15-25 meters in height with a large canopy that spreads equally wide. The leaves are a soft, shiny burgundy in early summer and mature to a glossy, deep green as the season progresses. Small clusters of white, purple, and pink flowers blossom on their branches throughout the year, maturing into brown seed pods. The tree is well suited to intense heat and sunlight and its dense network of lateral roots and its thick, long taproot make it drought tolerant. Flowering: March-April.

MedicThe seed oil is given as a stomachic and cholagogue in the treatment of dyspepsia and cases of sluggish live It is used externally as a liniment for rubbing on skin diseases and rheumatic joints.It has been shown to be effective in enhancing the pigmentation of skin affected by leucoderma or scabieThe flowers are claimed to have anti-diabetic actionThe fresh stem bark is astringent and is taken internally to relieve bleeding haemorrhoid The antiseptic root juice is put on sores and ulcers and used to clean teeth.The root bark contains a bitter alkaloid and is used as an abortifacient The leaves are crushed and applied as a poultice for the treatment of parasitic skin diseases and to relieve bleeding haemorrhoids

Seed - requires no pre-treatment. The seed is usually sown in situ, germinating within 1 - 5 weeks of sowing. Germination is hypogeal and the radicle develops quickly before the plumule emerges.If sown in a nursery bed, the seed can be planted at a close spacing, as young plants tolerate shade well - a spacing of 7.5 x 15 cm is recommended.