Pterocarpus indicus
Fabaceae FAMILY Vulnerable

Pterocarpus indicus

Pterocarpus indicus

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Pterocarpus indicus is a large evergreen to deciduous tree with a large, spreading crown of many long branches that are at first ascending, but eventually arch over and sometimes droop at the ends. ; it usually grows 15 - 20 metres tall, but exceptionally can be up to 40 metres. It has a short, clear bole that can be 2 metres in diameter but is usually of poor form - twisted and deeply fluted, often with pronounced buttresses[ 325 Title Seed Leaflets Publication Author Various Website http://en.sl.life.ku.dk/Publikationer/Udgivelser/PopulaerPublikationer.aspx?katid={D28373CC-6EF3-4EF8-B097-6D83FABF209E}&serieid={9F1C3DB1-6E7B-4CF1-AF53-F480B0CB40EF}&sort=title Publisher Forest & Landscape. Denmark Year 0 ISBN Description A series of leaflets, jointly produced by the University of Copenhagen and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, focussing on seed information for a number species, but also giving a lot of other information about each plant. , 418 Title Ecocrop Publication Author Website http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available. ]. The tree produces sweet-scented yellow flowers that are produced copiously in panicles and racemes[ 337 Title Tropical Tree Seed Manual Publication Author Vosso. J. Editor. Website http://www.rngr.net/Publications/ttsm Publisher USDA Forest Service. Year 2002 ISBN Description An extremely good guide, it can also be downloaded in its entirety from the address shown above. ]. The colourful wood ranks among the most valuable woods in the world and the tree is widely harvested for timber[ 337 Title Tropical Tree Seed Manual Publication Author Vosso. J. Editor. Website http://www.rngr.net/Publications/ttsm Publisher USDA Forest Service. Year 2002 ISBN Description An extremely good guide, it can also be downloaded in its entirety from the address shown above. ]. It is one of 33 species named as being a suitable Hongmu (red wood) timber, used for producing high quality Chinese furniture following traditions from the Ming and Quing dynasty[ 1791 Title The Hongmu Challenge; A briefing for the 66th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee, January 2016 Publication Author Website http://www.eia-global.org Publisher Environmental Investigation Agency; London Year 2016 ISBN Description Lists the 33 species used in making Hungmu furniture and the degree of over-exploitation plus recommendations for protecting them. ]. It is also one of the most widely planted ornamental and shade trees in the tropics, where it is often used as a street tree[ 349 Title Global Tree Campaign - 40 Species in Trade Publication Author Website http://www.unep-wcmc.org/trees/trade/40_species_in_trade.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on the habitats, uses and some cultivation notes for 40 species of timber trees. ]. The national tree of the Philippines, it flowers gregariously, the whole crown becoming as though painted yellow[ 303 Title World Agroforesty Centre Publication Author Website http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc. ]. Traditionally, the wood has been so much in demand for cabinet making and high class furniture that nearly everywhere its existence in the wild is precarious[ 303 Title World Agroforesty Centre Publication Author Website http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc. ]. Subpopulations have greatly declined in the wild because of overexploitation, and sometimes illegal exploitation, of the timber, as well as from increasing general habitat loss[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. It has become extinct in parts of its range[ 349 Title Global Tree Campaign - 40 Species in Trade Publication Author Website http://www.unep-wcmc.org/trees/trade/40_species_in_trade.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on the habitats, uses and some cultivation notes for 40 species of timber trees. ].The tree has been classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(1998)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical
Native RangeE. Asia - southern China, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the western Pacific Islands.
HabitatA widespread tree found in lowland primary and some secondary forest, mainly along tidal creeks and rocky shores at elevations up to 750 metres[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. , 349 Title Global Tree Campaign - 40 Species in Trade Publication Author Website http://www.unep-wcmc.org/trees/trade/40_species_in_trade.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on the habitats, uses and some cultivation notes for 40 species of timber trees. ]. Also found in beach forest, on coral sand and on rocky shores[ 349 Title Global Tree Campaign - 40 Species in Trade Publication Author Website http://www.unep-wcmc.org/trees/trade/40_species_in_trade.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on the habitats, uses and some cultivation notes for 40 species of timber trees. ].