Alstonia

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Alstonia (family Apocynaceae) A genus of small to big trees in which the crown is often pagoda-like, with distinct whorls of branches. The bole often has huge buttresses. The leaves are often whorled; the flowers are cymose. The fruits are paired, woody follicles containing many seeds and having a tuft of silky hairs at both ends. The timber is easily worked and is sometimes very light. The bark yields latex which is used in traditional medicine. There are 43 species, occurring in the Old World subtropics and tropics.