Debadaru
Polyalthia longifolia
📖 About this plant
Polyalthia longifolia (false ashoka or ‘Debadaru’ in Odia, also called Mast tree) is a tall columnar evergreen tree of the Annonaceae family. The tree’s narrow columnar habit and drooping branches give it a palm-like appearance — making it one of India’s most popular avenue and ornamental trees. The tree is often confused with the true Ashok (Saraca asoca) — but is unrelated. Bark and leaves are used in traditional medicine for fevers and skin diseases. Wood is soft and used for packing cases. The tree is extensively planted along roads and in gardens for its ornamental columnar shape and air-purifying properties.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun to partial shade
Regular; moderately drought-tolerant
Moderate
15-38°C
Well-draining loam
Compost annually
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- India, Sri Lanka
- 📏 Max height
- 15-20 m
- 📐 Spread
- 3-5 m (columnar habit)
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring (small greenish-yellow flowers)
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Greenish-yellow
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Evergreen lanceolate drooping dark green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- 50+ years
- 📈 Growth rate
- Fast
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seeds
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic
Common issues
- Leaf spot
- mealy bugs
- root rot in waterlogged soil
💡 Care tips
- Plant in full sun for columnar shape.
- Popular avenue tree.
- Tolerates urban pollution.