What is Alstonia scholaris?

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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