Pterocarpus indicus (PROSEA)
Introduction |
Pterocarpus indicus Willd.
- Protologue: Sp. pl. ed. 4, 3: 904 (1802).
Synonyms
- Pterocarpus wallichii Wight & Arn. (1834),
- Pterocarpus zollingeri Miq. (1855),
- Pterocarpus papuanus F. v. Mueller (1886).
Vernacular names
- As for the genus.
Distribution
From southern Burma through South-East Asia towards the Santa Cruz and Pacific Islands. Cultivated in Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Okinawa, Hawaii and Central America.
Uses
The timber is used as narra. See genus treatment for other uses.
Observations
- A medium-sized to fairly large tree of up to 40 m tall, bole often massive at age and up to 350 cm in diameter, often with double-leader big branches rather close to the base, buttresses usually present, branches drooping.
- Leaves 12-30 cm long, glabrous, leaflets 5-13, generally ovate, (2-)4-5(-9) cm × (4-)6-10(-15) cm.
- Pod shortly stipitate, almost circular, 4-7 cm in diameter, smooth (f. indicus) or with bristle-like prickles (f. echinatus (Persoon) Rojo, synonym: Pterocarpus echinatus Persoon).
The latter forma is sometimes regarded as a distinct species. P. indicus occurs mainly along tidal creeks and rocky shores, mostly in evergreen forest but also in seasonal forest up to 600 m altitude but it may grow at higher altitudes when planted. The density of the wood is (390-)550-900(-950) kg/m3 at 15% moisture content. See also the table on wood properties.
Selected sources
4, 5, 21, 35, 45, 67, 89, 99, 100, 102, 109, 110, 145, 153, 175, 190, 195, 226, 252, 272, 296, 309, 359, 363, 368, 372, 384, 396, 407, 408, 428, 433, 454, 461, 484, 486, 579, 585, 586, 588, 597, 621, 678, 683, 712, 750, 771, 779.
Main genus page
Authors
- J.P. Rojo (selection of species)