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Intsia bijuga
Fabaceae FAMILY Vulnerable

Intsia bijuga

Intsia bijuga

Edibility
1/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitSemi-deciduous Tree
GrowthMedium

A plant of the lowland, wet tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 600 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 12 - 34°c[1]. It is susceptible to frost[2]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,500 - 4,000mm[1]. Prefers a position in full sun, tolerating some shade[3, 1]. Prefers a very well-drained, fertile soil[3, 1]. Plants are very tolerant of saline soils and salt-laden winds[2, 3]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7[1]. Established plants are moderately drought tolerant[2]. This species is the national tree of the island of Guam[3]. The tree is relatively slow growing and may attain maturity at 80 years[2]. Plantation-grown trees can reach a height of 8 - 16 metres within 7 - 8 years, with a diameter about 7.5 - 10cm[1]. The tree produces flowers and fruits throughout the year[2]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[4].

Propagation

Seed - pre-treatment is necessary because of the hard seed coat[2]. This can be done by soaking the seeds for a few minutes in a small amount of boiling water and then leaving in warm water overnight[PFAF]. The most effective technique is by the use of a file to scrape off the small protrusion of the seed-coat located opposite the hilum[2]. Immersion in concentrated sulphuric acid for a short period also serves the same purpose[2]. Seed may be sown directly in the field, germinating well in full sunlight[2]. Seeds should be planted vertically with the hilum downward, so that the seed coat is shed as the hypocotyl emerges from the soil[2]. Seedlings need high light intensity for optimal growth. They can be transplanted into the field after 3 months[2]. Vegetative propagation by means of 60 cm cuttings in the Philippines, had high mortality rates (62%)[2]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Intsia+bijuga>

Pollinators

Bees, Insects

References

  1. [1]Ecocrop — http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home ↩︎Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
  2. [2]World Agroforesty Centre — http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ ↩︎An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
  3. [3]Tropical and Subtropical Trees - A Worldwide Encyclopaedic Guide. — Barwick. M. · Thames & Hudson, London · 2004 · ISBN 0-500-51181-0 ↩︎A superb book, very concise and well written, giving a wealth of information on 400 or more species including descriptions, habitat, cultivation details and plant uses. A wealth of colour photographs bring each plant vividly to life.
  4. [4]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  5. [5]Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands: Systems for Sustainability — W.C. Clarke and R.R. Thaman (Editors) · United Nations University Press, Tokyo · 1993 · http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80824e/80824E00.htm#Contents · ISBN 92-808-0824-9 ↩︎The guide includes information on 100 species of plants for Agroforestry. It is also available on the web at the address given above.
  6. [6]Flora Malesiana Series 1 — Various · Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch · http://www.archive.org ↩︎A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
  7. [7]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
  8. [8]The Useful Plants of the Island of Guam — Safford W.E. · Smithsonian Institute; Washington. · 1905 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ ↩︎A very comprehensive, if rather dated, guide to the plants of Guam. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
  9. [9]Tropix 7 — CIRAD · http://tropix.cirad.fr/en ↩︎An on-line guide to the timbers of 245 species of trees.
  10. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎