Polyalthia longifolia

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iPolyalthia longifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Polyalthia
Species: P. longifolia
Binomial name
Polyalthia longifolia
Sonn.

Common Names: Green Champa, Indian Mast Tree, False Ashoka

Polyalthia longifolia is a beautiful lofty evergreen found in India and Sri Lanka. It is most commonly used as an ornamental street tree due to its effectiveness in combating noise pollution. It exhibits symmetrical pyramidal growth with willowy weeping pendulous branches, long narrow lanceolate leaves with undulate margins.

Fresh leaves are a coppery brown color and are soft and delicate to touch, as the leaves grow older the color becomes a light green and finally a dark green.

In spring the tree is covered with delicate star-like pale green flowers which are loved by bats & flying foxes.

Fruit are borne in clusters of 10-20. Initially green but turning purple or black when ripe.