Pulai

Pulai refers to a genus of trees in the family Apocynaceae, commonly known by the scientific name Alstonia. These trees are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australasia. Alstonia species are typically large, evergreen trees, often recognized for their distinctive whorled branching pattern, where leaves and branches grow in a circular arrangement at intervals along the stem. The leaves are usually simple and lance-shaped, and the flowers are small, often white or cream-colored, and fragrant, arranged in terminal clusters.

The genus Alstonia contains several species, with Alstonia scholaris, commonly known as Blackboard Tree or Devil's Tree, being one of the most widely distributed and recognized. The wood from pulai trees is generally soft and lightweight, making it unsuitable for heavy construction but useful for purposes like making paper pulp, charcoal, and simple furniture. In traditional medicine, various parts of the pulai tree have been used for their supposed medicinal properties, although scientific validation for these uses varies. The latex from the tree can be milky and is sometimes used as an adhesive or for caulking. Pulai trees are often found in rainforests and secondary forests, and some species are cultivated for ornamental purposes or for their medicinal applications. The genus is named after Charles Alston, a Scottish botanist.