Monoon longifolium

Monoon longifolium is a tall, evergreen tree growing up to 15-20 m high, with a pyramidal or a narrow columnar crown (cypress-like).

The bark of Monoon longifolium is pale brown greyish-coloured, longitudinally fissured and transversally cracked with age.

The leaves of Monoon longifolium grow alternately on the stem (spirally arranged).
The leaf is simple, glossy, bright green-coloured above and paler beneath. The leaf is coriaceous and glabrous on both sides.
The leaves have a 7-8 mm long petiole.
The leaf of Monoon longifolium is 15-25 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. The shape of the blade is lanceolate with wavy edges, the apex is acute, the base is cuneate and the margins are entire.
The venation of the leaf is reticulate with a prominent midrib.

The flowers of Monoon longifolium are grouped in axillary fascicles.
The calyx is composed of 3 ellipsoid, 2.5 mm long and 3 mm wide sepals. The calyx is light green and finely pubescent.
The corolla is composed of 2x3 yellowish and glabrous petals. The petals are lanceolate, 1.5 cm long and 4 mm wide.
The androecium is composed of numerous, 1 mm long stamens.
The pistil is composed of a short and oblong style and a triangular and flat stigma. The flowers are fragrant.
 

The fruit of Monoon longifolium is a berry. They grow in cluster of 10-20. The berry is about 2 cm long and 1.2 cm wide with a 1.2 cm long peduncle. The fruit is dark brown-purple-coloured when ripe and it contains 1 seed.

The seeds of Monoon longifolium are pale brown, ellipsoid, 1-1.2 cm long and 0.8-1 cm wide, usually with a longitudinal groove. There is only one seed per fruit.

Polyalthia longifolia is planted as an avenue tree for its shade.

The wood of Polyalthia longifolia is used to make drums in South India. (Sahni, K.C., 1998, The Book of Indian Trees. Bombay Natural History Society)

Ecology :

In India, Polyalthia suberosa is usually planted by the side of roads, in gardens and parks, near temples and it is very rare in the forest areas.

Distribution :

Polyalthia longifolia is native to India and Sri Lanka. It is cultivated in gardens in many tropical countries around the world.