About Alstonia scholaris:
- Alstonia scholaris, commonly called blackboard tree, scholar tree, milkwood, or devil’s tree in English, is an evergreen tropical tree in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae).
- It is called ‘Saptaparna’ in India. It has been cited in the Charaka and Sushrutha Samhithas.
- Distribution: This tree is widespread across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and southern China, thriving in tropical and subtropical climates.
- Features:
- It grows to a height of10–20 meters, sometimes reaching up to 40 meters.
- It has dark grey bark and a crown of simple, whorled leaves arranged in clusters of seven, giving rise to the name “saptaparni” (meaning “seven-leaves“).
- Flowers: Small, fragrant, and greenish-white flowers bloom in clusters during late autumn and early winter.
- Uses:
- The bark, leaves, and other parts of Alstonia scholaris have been used in traditional medicine for treating respiratory conditions, fever, skin disorders, and digestive issues.
- The soft, lightweight wood of the blackboard tree was historically used for making writing slates and blackboards, which is how it got the common name “blackboard tree.”
- IUCN status: Least Concern
Q1: What are tropical cyclones?
Tropical cyclones are also called hurricanes or typhoons, depending on the region. A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm that begins over tropical oceans, and they can vary in speed, size, and intensity. Tropical cyclones are the second-most dangerous natural hazards, after earthquakes.
News: Cyclone Dana brings relief for Kolkatans with chhatim allergy
Last updated on June, 2025
→ UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims Result 2025 is out now for the CSE held on 25 May 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025 are available now.
→ UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.
→ The UPSC Vacancy 2025 were released 1129, out of which 979 were for UPSC CSE and remaining 150 are for UPSC IFoS.
→ UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted on 22nd August 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
→ UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
→ UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.
→ Also check Best IAS Coaching in Delhi