Fauna
Plant

Monoon Longifolium

Polyalthia longifolia

Also known as Mast Tree, Cemetery Tree, Telegraph Tree, Indian Fir

False ashoka grows into a striking, columnar tree with pendulous weeping branches clothed in lustrous, wavy-edged foliage. In spring, delicate pale-green star-shaped blossoms emerge along the branches, followed by dense clusters of purplish-black fruit that attract bats and frugivorous birds. Widely cultivated across tropical Asia, its slender silhouette and dense foliage make it a favored architectural screen and an exceptionally effective buffer against urban noise pollution.

EvergreenOrnamentalTropical Tree
Monoon Longifolium reference
Original uploader was Omoo at en.wikipedia / Public domain · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Indian Flying Fox
  • Asian Koel
  • Rose-ringed Parakeet
ThreatsUrban development, windstorms, and fungal root rot
HabitatsTropical dry evergreen forests, coastal lowlands, parks, and urban roadways
Life span50–100 years
Classification
  1. FamilyAnnonaceae
  2. SpeciesPolyalthia longifolia
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Wild fruits have toxic look-alikes; never consume wild plant parts based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Noise Buffering: Plant closely in linear rows along streets or property lines to form dense acoustic screens.
  • Form Maintenance: Avoid lopping the central leader, which ruins the naturally weeping pyramidal architecture.
  • Soil Management: Site in deep, well-draining loam under full sun for rapid establishment and sturdy roots.
Related species
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