Pterocarpus macrocarpus explained

Pterocarpus macrocarpus, or Burma padauk, is a tree native to the seasonal tropical forests of southeastern Asia: in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.[1] [2] It has been naturalized in India and the Caribbean.[1]

Description

Pterocarpus macrocarpus is a medium-sized tree growing to 10–30 m (rarely to 39 m) tall, with a trunk up to 1.7 m diameter; it is deciduous in the dry season. The bark is flaky, grey-brown; if cut, it secretes a red gum. The leaves are 200–350 mm long, pinnate, with 9–11 leaflets. The flowers are yellow, produced in racemes 50–90 mm long. The fruit is a pod surrounded by a round wing 45–70 mm diameter, containing two or three seeds.[1] [2]

The wood is durable and resistant to termites; it is important, used for furniture, construction timber, cart wheels, tool handles, and posts;[2] though not a true rosewood it is sometimes traded as such. The seasonal padauk flowers bloom annually around Thingyan (April) and is considered one of the national symbols[3] of Myanmar (formerly Burma).

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pterocarpus macrocarpus . Danida Forest Seed Centre . 3 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100331203120/http://www.sl.kvl.dk/upload/pterocarpus_macrocarpus_int.pdf . 31 March 2010 . dead .
  2. Web site: Pterocarpus macrocarpus . International Institute of Tropical Forestry . 3 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090116124438/http://www.rngr.net/Publications/ttsm/Folder.2003-07-11.4726/PDF.2004-03-16.0514/file . 16 January 2009.
  3. Web site: Floral Emblems of the world - Australian Plant Information. Australia. Australian National Botanic Gardens, Parks. www.anbg.gov.au. en. 2016-04-14.