Alstonia boonei

Botanical/Scientific Name:

Alstonia boonei

Common Name:

Cheesewood tree

Family Name:

Apocynaceae

Species:

Native

Location on campus:

Arts

Local Name:

(Twi) Onyame dua

Description:

Alstonia boonei is a deciduous tree up to 35 m high, buttresses deep-fluted high and narrow; slash spotted white and light brown, latex copious, white; leaves in whorls at nodes; oblanceolate, apex rounded to acuminate, lateral veins prominent, almost at right angles to midrib; flowers white, lax terminal cymes; fruits paired, slender follicles up to 16 cm long; seeds with brown floss at each end.

Ornamental Value:

The tree is often planted as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens because of its large size and luscious foliage

Medicinal Value:

Alstonia boonei is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, malaria, measles, boils, wounds, arterial hypertension, cataract, and placenta retention.

Economic Importance: