		wildsingapore homepage sitemap to the online guide search \| glossary coastal hill forest index

coastal hill forest

Pulai Alstonia angustiloba Family Apocynaceae

A majestic Pulai tree stands in the coastal forest of Chek Jawa. Believed to be more than 100 years old, it stands at about 35m and towers over neighbouring trees. Its branches form tiers in a distinctive pagoda-like crown which can be seen from the Ubin jetty! Its flowers are small and white, turning into pods filled with small, smooth seeds.

Human uses: The timber of the Pulai is soft and light and thus not highly valued. This is probably why the Pulai tree near Chek Jawa was spared when the rubber estate was planted around it. The timber is lightweight and used to make plywood, matches and crates. The latex and other parts of the Pulai are used in native medicine.

Status and threats: Alstonia species are fast growing but don't regenerate quickly. In most places where they grow, they are only selectively harvested for their timber. They are not cultivated for their timber.

The Pulai tree
near Chek Jawa

quick facts
A large Pulai tree (35m) can be seen along the path in the coastal forest towards Chek Jawa

Links
Alstonia angustiloba on the NParks website: brief fact sheet with photo
Medicinal Plants Of The Community In Sabah by Fasihuddin B. Ahmad and Hasmah Raji on the Borneo Focus website: pulai listed among the plants with medicinal uses in Sabah.
Pulai on the UNEP-WCMC website: fact sheet on the uses and status of Alstonia spp. as timber.

Other references

Corners, E. J. H., 1997. Wayside Trees of Malaya: in two volumes. Fourth edition, Malayan Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. Volume 1: 1-476 pp, plates 1-38; volume 2: 477-861 pp., plates 139-236.

a companion website to the chek jawa guidebook website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com

a companion website to the chek jawa guidebook
website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com