Devil tree shrub (Alstonia venenata)

Alstonia venenata is a shrub or small tree of the hills of southern India, a smaller relative of the devil tree, Alstonia scholaris. Its species name means “poisonous”. Its bark and fruit are rich in alkaloids, and it should be treated as a toxic plant.

Botanical name: Alstonia venenata R.Br.
Family: Apocynaceae
Tamil: Vettilai palai
Hindi: Addasarpa
Parts used: None as food
Habit: Shrub Alstonia; ezhilai palai is A. scholaris
Last updated: 2026-10-25

How to recognise Devil tree shrub

The leaves are narrow, pointed and glossy, arranged in whorls of three to five at each node — a typical Alstonia pattern, but finer and narrower than the broad leaf rosettes of Alstonia scholaris.

Flowers are white, tubular and fragrant, in small clusters at the branch tips. The fruit is a pair of very long, slender pods, which split to release seeds fringed with hairs at both ends.

It usually grows as a shrub or small tree in forest undergrowth and on rocky hillsides, not as the tall village tree that scholaris becomes.

All parts bleed white latex when broken.

Traditional use of Devil tree shrub

Kerala folk practice

In Malayalam it is known as analivegam, and it has a reputation in village practice as a snakebite plant. That reputation has never been supported by clinical evidence, and it should not delay real treatment.

Kerala folk practice

Modern notes on Devil tree shrub

Chemists have isolated a range of indole alkaloids from the bark and fruit, including venenatine and alstovenine. Some of them act strongly on the nervous system in animal studies.

That chemistry is the reason for caution. A plant with potent alkaloids and no established safe dose is not a home remedy.

Devil tree shrub safety

Do not eat any part, and do not use it for snakebite. A snakebite needs antivenom at a hospital, as fast as possible.

Keep children away from the fruit and latex.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to the Western Ghats and the hills of peninsular India, growing in moist and semi-evergreen forest margins.

It is not widely planted. Most people meet it on forest walks, where its long paired pods are the thing to notice.

Related plants

Also in Apocynaceae

Questions about Devil tree shrub

Is Devil tree shrub the blackboard tree?

No. The tall devil tree used for slates is Alstonia scholaris. This is its smaller southern cousin.

Does Devil tree shrub cure snakebite?

No. That is folk belief. Go to a hospital for antivenom.

What does venenata mean?

Poisonous. The name is a warning worth heeding.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.