Polyalthia longifolia

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

  • Botanical Name : Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thw.
  • Synonyms : Uvaria longifolia Sonn.
  • Common Name : Asopalav, Mast-Tree, False Ashok
  • Plant Family : Annonaceae
  • Plant Form : Tree
  • Occurrence (Sectors) : 1-30
  • Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park, Ayurvedic Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra, Infocity, Aranya Van

About Polyalthia longifolia Plant :

  • Habit : A tall handsome tree.
  • Leaves : Membraneous, lanceolate, tapering to a fine point, shining, glabrous, margin undulate or wavy, gland-dotted.
  • Inflorescence : A fascicle or shortly peduncled umbel.
  • Flowers :
    • Pedicellate, bracteates, pedicels slender with a small deciduous bract about the middle.
    • Flowers yellowish-green.
    • Sepals 3, triangular, pubescent, tips reflexed.
    • Petals 6, valvate, subequal, linear, tapering to a point.
    • Stamens many cuneate, connective truncately dilated beyond the cells.
    • Ovaries many, style oblong, ovules 1-2 basal and erect.
  • Fruit :
    • An etaerio of berries.
    • Berries stalked ovoid.
    • Seeds large smooth and shining.
    • Endosperm ruminate.
  • Flowering and Fruiting Time : April - June
  • Significance :
    • Planted as an evergreen avenue tree.
    • Leaves used for decorative purpose toran on auspicious occasions.
    • Straight long stem used for ship-mast.