N. 0. AN0NA0E&. 
47 
Stamens 12-18 ; anther-cells contiguous, outer stamens sometimes 
without antherg. Ripe Carpels nearly sessile, 1 in. diam., 
globose, glabrous usually containing about 2 matured seeds. 
Uses. — In the Konkan the leaves are used for fomentation 
by the natives. They have a pungent, astringent and bitter 
taste. (Dyin. Pharm. Ind. Vol. I. P. 46'. 
37. Polyalthia longifolia, Benth and Hk. f. 
h.f.br.i., i. 62. Roxb 455. 
Syn. — Gualteria longifolia, Wall. 
Peni. — Asok ; Debdari, Devadaru, Deodar (H). Devdaru ; 
Devada ;B). Devdaru (Uriya). Asok, Asoka, Asopular, Asupal 
(Bomb); Ashopulo (Guj) ; Devadaru, Asoka, Asokam (Tel) 
Assothi (Tam) ; Asoka, putrajiva (Kam); in Ceylon Tamil it i* 
Mara-illupai. 
Habitat. — Cultivated throughout India, , as an avenue tree in 
Tanjore and the Western Peninsula. Common in Ceylon 
and in Bombay Gardens. It is also found as a roadside tree 
in Bombay, much used in decorations of houses on festive 
occasions. 
A large erect tree, very handsome with shining wavy- 
margined leaves on slender long branchlets. Bark thick, rather 
smooth, young parts glabrous. Wood yellowish-white, rather 
soft, medullary rays conspicuous. Leaves long, 6-9 in. shortly 
stalked, oblong or ovate-oblong, very gradually tapering into 
long attenuate apex, acute or rounded base, finely undulate, 
glabrous, thin, pellucid-dotted. .Flowei's greenish-yellow in 
axillary umbels on very short racemes mostly from the old 
wood, 3-10 or more together. Pedicels 1 in. or more long, slender, 
pubescent, with a hairy bractlet half way up. Sepals ovate- 
triangular, obtuse, tomentose. Petals in. or more, lanceolate- 
linear, tapering, undulate, pubescent, the inner rather broader. 
Carpels about 8, ovoid, 1 in. long, glabrous, on stalks j in. long. 
Use. — It is used as a febrifuge in the Balasore District of 
Orissa (Sir W. W. Hunter). 
