Mast tree

Location in BHU campus : Planted along roadside as well as in the lawns of different departments and offices.

Botanical name : Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thw.

Family : Annonaceae

Vernacular / local Name : Assam -Unboi; Bengali-Debdaru; Gujarati-Asopalav; Hindi-Asoka, debdari, devdaru; Kannada-Hessare, kambadamara, ubbina; Malayalam-Arana, chorana; Oriya-Debdaru, asupal; Tamil-Nettilingam, asoothi; Telugu-Nara maamidi.

English names : Mast tree,Cemetery tree

A handsome evergreen tree with a straight trunk and pyramidical crown reaching a height of 15-18 m. Bark dark grey brown and smooth. Leaves glossy green ,narrowly lanceolate with undulate margins.Flowers yellowish green,2.5-3 cm long,in fascicles or short umbels. Fruit in a cluster of 10-20, yellowish, black or purple berries, ovoid and one seeded.

Flowering :April- June

Fruiting: July-August

• Sacred value

The tree is held in great value and planted near temples by Hindus.The leaves are strung into wreaths and hung to adorn doors and to decorate on festive occasions by Hindus as well as to decorate marriage mandaps.

• Uses

Wood is used for barrels, drums, boxes, scaffolding etc. Bats feed on ripe fruits at night.It is a popular avenue tree because of graceful appearance and shade.