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Monoon longifolium (Sonn.) B. Xue & R. M. K. Saunders, Taxon 61: 1032. 2012 (syn: Uvaria longifolia Sonn. (Basionym); Unona longifolia (Sonn.) Dunal; Guatteria longifolia (Sonn.) Wall.; Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thwaites) as per A conspectus of Indo-Burmese Annonaceae by I. M. Turner (2015);
. MOH-noh-on — Greek: monos (single), oon (egg) — referring to the single-seeded fruit … compiled from web
lon-jee-FOH-lee-um — long leaves … Dave’s Botanary . commonly known as: ashok, cemetery tree, false ashok, Indian fir tree, Indian mast tree, Madras ashoka • Assamese: দেৱদাৰু debdaru, উনাবৈ unboi • Bengali: দেবদারু debdaru • Dogri: मिथक अशोक mithak ashok, राम अशोक ram ashok • Gujarati: આસોપાલવ aasopalav • Haryanvi: अशोक ashok • Hindi: अशोक ashok, असोग asog, देबदार debdar • Kannada: ಕಂಬದ ಮರ kambada mara, ಮದ್ರಾಸ್ ಅಶೊಕ madras ashoka, ಪುಂಗು pungu, ಉಬ್ಬಿನ ಮರ ubbina mara • Konkani: अशोक ashok • Malayalam: അരണമരം aranamaram, അശോകം ashokam • Manipuri: ꯗꯦꯕꯗꯥꯔ debdar • Marathi: अशोक ashok, आसुपाला asupala • Nepali: नक्कली अशोक nakkalee ashok • Odia: ଦେବଦାରୁ debadaru • Rajasthani: आसापाला asapala, अशोक ashok • Sanskrit: अशोक ashoka, आसोपालव asopalava, देवदारु devadaru • Santali: ᱫᱮᱵᱽ ᱫᱟᱨᱮ deb dare • Tamil: அசோகம் acokam, செயலை ceyalai, காழ்கோளி kaḻkoli, கேலிகம் kelikam, நெட்டிலிங்கம் nettilinkam, பாய்மரவிருட்சம் pay-mara-virutcam, யுக்மபத்திரிகை yukma-pattirikai • Telugu: అశోకము ashokamu, దేవదారు daevadaaru, నరమామిడి naramaamidi, నెత్తి లింగం netthi lingam • Urdu: اسوگ asog, ديبدار debdar
.    Polyalthia longifolia_RKC03_180811 :
Polyalthia longifolia for you. Loc.: Van Vihar, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh (ca 280msl)
efloraofindia:”For Id 26092011MR3’’ tall tree Pune:
Request for identification ? False Ashoka I think the true Ashoka is called Sita Ashoka but never seen it. Any pics to share? Date/Time-Sep 2011
Location- Place, Altitude, GPS-Pune Habitat- Garden/ Urban/ Wild/ Type-Private Garden Plant Habit- Tree/ Shrub/ Climber/ Herb- Tree Height/Length-4 floors of a building may be Leaves Type/ Shape/ Size-green Flowers Size/ Colour/ Calyx/ Bracts-Not seen Fruits Type/ Shape/ Size Seeds-Not seen Other sorry Pictures had to be taken across the fence Polyalthia longifolia I did not know this tree is called Devdar in Marathi Yes Polyalthia longifolia of Anonaceae family. I think its correct name is P. longifolia var. Pendula, commonly known as Indian Mast tree or Ashupal/Asopalav in Marathi. P.longifolia is another species of spreading branches (instead of erect) not commonly planted in the gardens. The Marathi name of P. longifolia var. Pendula, is Devdar. I think Do you have a pic of P Longifolia of spreading branches to share and if possible its Marathi name
Ashok (polyalthia longifolia) flowers:
Polyalthia longifolia var. angustifolia – Dwarf Mast Tree                Attaching images of Polyalthia longifolia Sonn.
Species : Polyalthia longifolia Sonn.
Bengali name : DEBDARU (দেবদারু)
Habit & Habitat : roadside tree, also on railway platforms, leaves are used in bouquet and in various festivals, ceremonies for ornamental decoration
Date : 5/4/12 (flowers), 26/4/12 (immature fruits), 21/5/12 (partly mature fruits)    Trees of Lalbagh, Bangalore – RA – Polyalthia longifolia var. angustifolia, Sonn. <=> Dwarf Mast Tree:         ”Id 30122011MR1’’ an observation False Ashoka tree favorite of green bea eaters, bulbuls and purple sunbirds at Pune: Pune 30 Dec 2011 Today evening I could spot so many birds visiting the False Ashoka tree . ……….. ……….. …………… Drongos in Bengal that I have seen love sitting on top of fences and wire!!!! False Asoka is asopalava tree in Gujarati… leaves are used for door “toran” for auspicious occassions… …………. Beautiful capture … the drongo with the forked tail and lovely yellow colored Golden oriole. Yes … I too have seen drongos usually perching on wires. What is fascinating is that it sits still for quite a long time as opposed to the restless bee eater There is lot of different between drongo and bee eaters. Drongos cant make drastic acrobatics in air like bee eater. So they save energy, one perfect strike is better than multiple strikes and missing most of them 🙂 Let this post be an eye opener to those who claim that ‘birds know which trees are NON-NATIVEs, do not Yesterday evening I spotted parrots on the same Ashoka tree same spot. I am really amused . Wonder which is the next bird to come.
I have not seen the flowers of P.longifolia so closely. Superb catch
Dilleniaceae, Magnoliaceae and Annonaceae Fortnight :: Annonaceae » Polyalthia ¿ longifolia ? at VJBU :: DVMAR09 : 5 posts by 4 authors. 2 images. Yes, this is the typical variety of Polyalthia longifolia (var. longifolia). Supporting … Thank you very much, … for providing the clarity regarding the two varieties of this species. Will correct my notes soon at flickr.
Polyalthia longifolia var pendula
Dilleniaceae, Magnoliaceae and Annonaceae Fortnight :: Annonaceae – Polyalthia longifolia from Mumbai :: AKMAR-06 : Attachments (5). 1 post by 1 author.
Attached are pictures of Polyalthia longifolia from Mumbai captured in March 2013.
Dilleniaceae, Magnoliaceae and Annonaceae Fortnight :: Annonaceae » Polyalthia longifolia at Mumbai:: PKA-March-19:: : 2 posts by 2 authors. 2 images.
Polyalthia longifolia at Mumbai Beautiful capture of this common tree. . Dilleniaceae, Magnoliaceae and Annonaceae Fortnight: Annonaceae- Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula from Delhi-GSMAR15 : Attachments (1). 1 post by 1 author.
Dilleniaceae, Magnoliaceae and Annonaceae Fortnight: Annonaceae- Polyalthia longifolia from Delhi-GSMAR13: Attachments (3). 2 posts by 2 authors.
Polyalthia longifolia, a common tree in parks, roadsides and gardens in Delhi Nice set of photographs.. . Dilleniaceae, Magnoliaceae and Annonaceae Fortnight: Polyalthia longifolia..my concluding post- NS March 06 : 3 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (4).
This very commonly planted tree blooms in summers, flowers not easily observed due to their greenish colour and being high on the tree..
I could capture them somehow, from Jind District of Haryana..
Polyalthia longifolia… Excellent photographs …
Dilleniaceae, Magnoliaceae and Annonaceae Fortnight : Annonaceae :: Polyalthia longifolia:: SMP09 : 2 posts by 2 authors. 2 images.
Dilleniaceae, Magnoliaceae and Annonaceae Fortnight : Polyalthia longifolia :from Coimbatore BRS 4 : 1 post by 1 author. Attachments (3).
Dilleniaceae, Magnoliaceae and Annonaceae Fortnight : Polyalthia longifolia : Jijamata Udyan,Mumbai : 140314 : AK-19 : 2 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (2).
From Jijamata Udyan, Mumbai.      ID – MS01/30032015 : 2 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (5)
Please find photos of Polyalthia spp. leaves, bark and inflorescence at RPRC Botanical Garden, Bhubaneswar.
Leaves are narrow half inch width and 3 – 4 inch in length.
Sorry the some photos are blurred due to strong winds.
Can you please ID the species of Polyalthia ? Most probably Polyalthia longifolia..
POLYALTHIA LONGIFOLIA : LARVAL FOOD PLANT FOR TAILED JAY BUTTERFLY : 1 post by 1 author.
If there are Common Jay/Tailed Jay butterflies in your area, it is likely that there will be Polyalthia longifolia (MAST TREE/ ASOKA/ DEBDARU ) trees in the area. If you are a good observer you are likely to see Tail Jay laying eggs on Polyalthia longifolia. On careful observation on the leaves you a find larva of Tailed Jay butterfly on the leaves. I had the opportunity to observe the life cycle of Tailed Jay on Polyalthia longifolia. I observed throughout May and up to 12-6-15. Attaching a series of 17 images to cover the life cycle of this beautiful butterfly.
OBSERVATION : POLYALTHIA LONGIFOLIA ( HOST PLANT FOR TAILED JAY ) : 5 posts by 5 authors. Attachments (1)
I am at this place since 2005. I knew that forest department has planted Polyalthia longifolia (MAST TREE/ ASHOK/ DEBDARU) on the road side. Last year during this time I noticed TAILED JAY laying eggs on the leaves of Polyalthia longifolia. And recorded life cycle of few butterflies. This year I was fortunate again to observe this phenomenon. I made few collage to depict my observations. Attaching the first such collage, where larvae of TAILED JAY are depicted. They are feeding on leaves of Polyalthia longifolia. Very beautiful and careful observation Col … So many changes in a few days, nature is wonderful..!!! Very nice observations and beautiful collage, …
Tree For ID : Polyalthia Species? : Lalbagh,Bangalore : 30JAN17 : AK-21 : 4 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (2)
Pictures taken in the first week of Jan. Polyalthia Species? . Flowers ?? polyalthia longifolia ?? Not Saraca asoca. Yes, … It is false Ashoka
id plz : 2 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (2)
is it saraca asoka. please confirm
Flowers ??
polyalthia longifolia ??
TAILED JAY AND COMMON JAY UNDER STRESS ( ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION ) : 3 posts by 3 authors. Attachments (1)
In 2013 I saw a large green coloured larva on a Polyalthia longifolia (MAST TREE/DEBDARU) At that time I did not know that the larva is of Common Jay. I brought that to our residence. But some how it escaped. I studied literature on the host plants for this species of butterfly. I came to know that both Tailed Jay and Common Jay butterflies have same host plants and four of them are here near our residence (Artabatrys hexapetalus , Canangia odorata, Michelia champaca and Polyalthia longifolia). Michelia champaca and Polyalthia longifolia were in plenty on the road side. I started observing these plants and started collecting larvae of different size. Those larvae were fed with the leaves of the host plants. I observed larvae started life on Polyalthia longifolia survives on the leaves of Michelia champaca and vice versa.
I recorded many life cycles of these two butterflies on all the host plants I mentioned above. Last time I recorded life cycle of a Tailed Jay was in 2017. So many Michelia champaca and Polyalthia longifolia came under axe in last few years, that may be the reason I could not record any life cycle of these two species. There are only two plants of the other two host plants. I am keeping an watch. Attaching a collage of Tailed Jay on Artabatrys hexapetalus.       
Polyalthia longifolia flowers- Ashok, Ashoka, False ashoka, Green champa, Indian Fir tree, Mast tree, Telegraph pole tree, Devadaru – indiantreepix | Google Groups . Polyalthia longifolia three variations.: Please provide link to what you are quoting Here is the link:  My photographs may be useful for understanding 1. Polyalthia suberosa 2. Polyalthia longifolia var. angustifolia
3. Monoon longifolium syn. Polyalthia longifolia આસોપાલવ I think the following may be useful:
. Annonaceae: Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thwaites: 1 high res. image.
synonyms: Guatteria longifolia (Sonn.) Wall., Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Hook.f. & Thomson location/date: University of Agricultural Sciences campus, Bangalore, July 1997 . Annonaceae: Polyalthia angustifolia A.C.Sm.: It is not reported from India as per POWO (Shown only as Extinct in Fiji).
I can see some specimens from Lalbagh, Bangalore (one, two, three) in GBIF, which appear quite different from other specimens.
If these specimens are correctly identified (otherwise these look quite close to images of https://efloraofindia.com/2011/03/22/polyalthia-longifolia/), it must be an introduced species here.
However, in our earlier discussions we have kept it under https://efloraofindia.com/2011/03/22/polyalthia-longifolia/ only.
Also see earlier discussions at Trees of Lalbagh, Bangalore – RA – Polyalthia longifolia var. angustifolia, Sonn. <=> Dwarf Mast Tree Polyalthia longifolia three variations Thanks for pointing this out. I will check my notes, but it does seem to be incorrect, and is probably either Polyalthia longifolia or P. longifolia var. angustifolia. I should note that most of the tree species photographed on the University of Agricultural Sciences campus in Bangalore were planted, in their botanical garden. We are having 2 tree species of P. longifolia var. angustifolia in our campus, . Nepali name(s) of Monoon longifolium (Sonn.) B.Xue & R.M.K.Saunders: Please help with Nepali name(s) of Monoon longifolium (Sonn.) B.Xue & R.M.K.Saunder.
I assume it must be अशोक ashok.
If any other / more names, please help. नक्कली अशोक Nakkalee Ashok .
Names of Plants in India :: Monoon longifolium (Sonn.) B.Xue & R.M.K.Saunders: 1 image.
Monoon longifolium (Sonn.) B.Xue & R.M.K.Saunders MOH-noh-on — Greek: monos (single), oon (egg) — referring to the single-seeded fruit … compiled from web
lon-jee-FOH-lee-um — long leaves … Dave’s Botanary commonly known as: ashok, cemetery tree, false ashok, Indian fir tree, Indian mast tree, Madras ashoka • Assamese: দেৱদাৰু debdaru, উনাবৈ unboi • Bengali: দেবদারু debdaru • Dogri: मिथक अशोक mithak ashok, राम अशोक ram ashok • Gujarati: આસોપાલવ aasopalav • Haryanvi: अशोक ashok • Hindi: अशोक ashok, असोग asog, देबदार debdar • Kannada: ಕಂಬದ ಮರ kambada mara, ಮದ್ರಾಸ್ ಅಶೊಕ madras ashoka, ಪುಂಗು pungu, ಉಬ್ಬಿನ ಮರ ubbina mara • Konkani: अशोक ashok • Malayalam: അരണമരം aranamaram, അശോകം ashokam • Manipuri: ꯗꯦꯕꯗꯥꯔ debdar • Marathi: अशोक ashok, आसुपाला asupala • Nepali: नक्कली अशोक nakkalee ashok • Odia: ଦେବଦାରୁ debadaru • Rajasthani: आसापाला asapala, अशोक ashok • Sanskrit: अशोक ashoka, आसोपालव asopalava, देवदारु devadaru • Santali: ᱫᱮᱵᱽ ᱫᱟᱨᱮ deb dare • Tamil: அசோகம் acokam, செயலை ceyalai, காழ்கோளி kaḻkoli, கேலிகம் kelikam, நெட்டிலிங்கம் nettilinkam, பாய்மரவிருட்சம் pay-mara-virutcam, யுக்மபத்திரிகை yukma-pattirikai • Telugu: అశోకము ashokamu, దేవదారు daevadaaru, నరమామిడి naramaamidi, నెత్తి లింగం netthi lingam • Urdu: اسوگ asog, ديبدار debdar
botanical names: Monoon longifolium (Sonn.) B.Xue & R.M.K.Saunders … homotypic synonyms: Guatteria longifolia (Sonn.) Wall. • Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Thwaites • Unona altissima Russell ex Wall. • Unona longifolia (Sonn.) Dunal • Uvaria altissima Pennant • Uvaria longifolia Sonn. … and more at POWO, retrieved 24 May 2026 Bibliography / etymology / notes
Links listed as references in the notes below, may not remain valid permanently. Portals / websites have a tendency to re-organize / revise their content, leading to change in URLs of pages in their site. Some sites may even close down at their own will. The bits about the languages of India mentioned below are merely some bare facts gathered from the internet; just enough to satisfy curiosity about “where” could the listed names be best prevalent in India. All English transliterated names to be taken sensu amplo.
~~~~~ ENGLISH ~~~~~
written and spoken widely, in most parts of India
ashok, false ashok
cemetery tree
Indian fir tree
Indian mast tree
Madras ashoka
~~~~~ ASSAMESE ~~~~~
written in: Assamese (অসমীয়া) … spoken in: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya
দেৱদাৰু debdaru
উনাবৈ unboi
~~~~~ BENGALI ~~~~~
written in: Bengali (বাংলা) … spoken in: West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Tripura, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
দেবদারু debdaru
~~~~~ DOGRI ~~~~~
written in: Devanagari (डोगरी) … spoken in: Jammu & Kashmir … spoken by the Dogras
मिथक अशोक mithak ashok, राम अशोक ram ashok
~~~~~ GUJARATI ~~~~~
written in: Gujarati (ગુજરાતી) … spoken in: Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu
આસોપાલવ aasopalav
~~~~~ HARYANVI ~~~~~
written in: Devanagari (हरियाणवी or हरयाणवी) … spoken in: Haryana, Delhi
अशोक ashok
~~~~~ HINDI ~~~~~
written in: Devanagari (हिन्दी) … spoken in: Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand
अशोक ashok
असोग asog, देबदार debdar
~~~~~ KANNADA ~~~~~
written in: Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) … spoken in: Karnataka
ಕಂಬದ ಮರ kambada mara, ಮದ್ರಾಸ್ ಅಶೊಕ madras ashoka
ಪುಂಗು pungu
ಉಬ್ಬಿನ ಮರ ubbina mara
~~~~~ KONKANI ~~~~~
written in: Devanagari (कोंकणी) / Kannada (ಕೊಂಕಣಿ) / Malayalam (കൊങ്കണി) / Perso-Arabic (کونکنی) / Romi (Konknni) … spoken in: Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat
अशोक ashok
~~~~~ MALAYALAM ~~~~~
written in: Malayalam (മലയാളം) … spoken in: Kerala, Lakshadweep
അരണമരം aranamaram
അശോകം ashokam
~~~~~ MANIPURI ~~~~~
written in: Meiteilon (ꯃꯩꯇꯩꯂꯣꯟ), Bengali-Assamese … spoken in: Manipur … other names for this language: Meetei
ꯗꯦꯕꯗꯥꯔ debdar
~~~~~ MARATHI ~~~~~
written in: Devanagari (मराठी) … spoken in: Maharashtra, Karnataka
अशोक ashok, आसुपाला asupala
~~~~~ NEPALI ~~~~~
written in: Devanagari (नेपाली) … spoken in: Nepal, West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim
नक्कली अशोक nakkalee ashok
~~~~~ ODIA ~~~~~
written in: Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ) … spoken in: Odisha, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
ଦେବଦାରୁ debadaru
~~~~~ RAJASTHANI ~~~~~
written in: Devanagari (राजस्थानी) … spoken in: Rajasthan
आसापाला asapala, अशोक ashok
~~~~~ SANSKRIT ~~~~~
written in: Devanagari (संस्कृतम्) … used all over India by priests and scholars
अशोक ashoka, आसोपालव asopalava, देवदारु devadaru
~~~~~ SANTALI ~~~~~
written in: Ol Chiki (ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲᱤ), Bengali (সাঁওতালী), Odia (ସାନ୍ତାଳୀ), Devanagari (सान्ताली), Roman … spoken in: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha
ᱫᱮᱵᱽ ᱫᱟᱨᱮ deb dare
~~~~~ TAMIL ~~~~~
written in: Tamil (தமிழ்) … spoken in: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
அசோகம் acokam, செயலை ceyalai, காழ்கோளி kaḻkoli, கேலிகம் kelikam, நெட்டிலிங்கம் nettilinkam, பாய்மரவிருட்சம் pay-mara-virutcam, யுக்மபத்திரிகை yukma-pattirikai
~~~~~ TELUGU ~~~~~
written in: Telugu ( తెలుగు) … spoken in: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry
అశోకము ashokamu, దేవదారు daevadaaru, నరమామిడి naramaamidi, నెత్తి లింగం netthi lingam
~~~~~ URDU ~~~~~
written in: Urdu (اردو) … spoken in: Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka
اسوگ asog, ديبدار debdar
~~~~~ KNOWN DISTRIBUTION in INDIA ~~~~~
Native: Kerala, Tamil Nadu
Cultivated: Rest of mainland, including her islands
~~~~~ Created on: 19:36 24-05-2026 ¦ Last updated: 23:31 28-05-2026 (DD-MM-YYYY) ~~~~~
Names compiled / updated at https://dineshvalke.blogspot.com/2026/05/monoon-longifolium-sonn-bxue-rmksaunders.html
Rajasthani name revised …
commonly known as: ashok, cemetery tree, false ashok, Indian fir tree, Indian mast tree, Madras ashoka • Assamese: দেৱদাৰু debdaru, উনাবৈ unboi • Bengali: দেবদারু debdaru • Dogri: मिथक अशोक mithak ashok, राम अशोक ram ashok • Gujarati: આસોપાલવ aasopalav • Haryanvi: अशोक ashok • Hindi: अशोक ashok, असोग asog, देबदार debdar • Kannada: ಕಂಬದ ಮರ kambada mara, ಮದ್ರಾಸ್ ಅಶೊಕ madras ashoka, ಪುಂಗು pungu, ಉಬ್ಬಿನ ಮರ ubbina mara • Konkani: अशोक ashok • Malayalam: അരണമരം aranamaram, അശോകം ashokam • Manipuri: ꯗꯦꯕꯗꯥꯔ debdar • Marathi: अशोक ashok, आसुपाला asupala • Nepali: नक्कली अशोक nakkalee ashok • Odia: ଦେବଦାରୁ debadaru • Rajasthani: आशापाला ashapala, अशोक ashok • Sanskrit: अशोक ashoka, आसोपालव asopalava, देवदारु devadaru • Santali: ᱫᱮᱵᱽ ᱫᱟᱨᱮ deb dare • Tamil: அசோகம் acokam, செயலை ceyalai, காழ்கோளி kaḻkoli, கேலிகம் kelikam, நெட்டிலிங்கம் nettilinkam, பாய்மரவிருட்சம் pay-mara-virutcam, யுக்மபத்திரிகை yukma-pattirikai • Telugu: అశోకము ashokamu, దేవదారు daevadaaru, నరమామిడి naramaamidi, నెత్తి లింగం netthi lingam • Urdu: اسوگ asog, ديبدار debdar
both Malayalam and English names are correct. . References:
A conspectus of Indo-Burmese Annonaceae by I. M. Turner (2015)
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Monoon longifolium
Updated on June 15, 2026