Ruk is one of the many species at Dilmah Arboretum

Ruk

• Common Name In Sri Lanka:

  Ruk

• Scientific Name:

  Alstonia scholaris

• Other Names:

  Ruk-aththana, Eth-mada (Sinhala); Elilaippalai, Mukam pelai (Tamil)

• Zone:

• Size of Tree:

• Status:

• Average Height:

  

  Up to 35 meters

• Identification

  Tall straight trunk with a greyish-brown, smooth fluted bark. The branches are arranged in whorls at the top. The leaves seen in whorls of 5-10 are dark green and shiny above, paler beneath, about 5-30 cm long and 3-12 cm broad, widest in the middle, elliptical in shape with a tapering base and nearly rounded apex. The petioles are very short. The flowers are fragrant, greenishwhite in color, sessile, borne terminally in globose clusters on elongated stalks, and attract bees. Fruits are green, elongated pods about 30 cm long that contain many seeds.

• Habitat

  Riverine areas or moist places of forests - up to 1000 m

• Special Notes

  Native. Ornamental tree.