Polyalthia longifolia

taxobox
name = Polyalthia longifolia

---

image_caption = P. longifolia(false ashoka)
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Magnoliids
ordo = Magnoliales
familia = Annonaceae
genus = "Polyalthia"
species = "P. longifolia"
binomial = "Polyalthia longifolia"
binomial_authority = Sonn.|

"Polyalthia longifolia" is a lofty evergreen tree, native to India, commonly planted due to its effectiveness in alleviating noise pollution. It exhibits symmetrical pyramidal growth with willowy weeping pendulous branches and long narrow lanceolate leaves with undulate margins. The tree is known to grow over 30 ft in height.

Common names

Green Champa, Indian Mast Tree, False Ashoka, Indian Fir Tree, Asopalav

Distribution

Found natively in India and Sri Lanka. It is introduced in gardens in many tropical countries around the world.

Leaves

Fresh leaves are a coppery brown color and are soft and delicate to touch, as the leaves grow older the color becomes a light green and finally a dark green. The leaves are larval food plant of the Kite swallowtails.

Flowering

In spring the tree is covered with delicate star-like pale green flowers. The flowers are not conspicuous due to their color.

Fruit are borne in clusters of 10-20. Initially green but turning purple or black when ripe. These are loved by birds, such as the Asian Koel "Eudynamys scolopaceus" and bats including the flying foxes.

The leaves are good and for ornamental decoration and used in festivals. The tree is a main attraction in gardens throughout India. The tree can be cut into various shapes and maintained in required sizes.

Methanolic extracts of "Polyalthia longifolis" have yielded 20 known and two new organic compounds, some of which show cytotoxic properties.cite journal
last = Chen
first = Chung-Yi
authorlink =
coauthors =Fang-Rong Chang, Yao-Ching Shih, Tian-Jye Hsieh, Yi-Chen Chia, Huang-Yi Tseng, Hua-Chien Chen, Shu-Jen Chen, Ming-Chu Hsu, and Yang-Chang Wu
title = Cytotoxic Constituents of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula
journal = Journal of Natural Products
volume = 63
issue = 11
pages = 1475–1478
date = 2000
url = http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jnprdf/2000/63/i11/abs/np000176e.html
doi = 10.1021/np000176e
id = S0163-3864(00)00176-2
accessdate =2007-09-21 ]

Cited references

References

* USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database] . National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?29199] (Accessed 19 July 2007)