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Pterocarpus dalbergioides - DC.

Common Name Andaman padauk, East Indian-mahogany,
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Found in deciduous and semi-moist deciduous forests, usually on or near riverbanks, at elevations up to 100 metres[316 ].
Range E. Asia - Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Pterocarpus dalbergioides Andaman padauk, East Indian-mahogany,


Vinayaraj wikimedia.org
Pterocarpus dalbergioides Andaman padauk, East Indian-mahogany,
Vinayaraj wikimedia.org

 

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Summary

Pterocarpus dalbergioides is a semi-deciduous tropical tree growing about 25-40 m in height and 180 cm in diameter. It is buttressed with usually straight and cylindrical bole. It is endemic to India and valued for wood, medicine, food, and other uses. Plant parts such as flowers and young leaves are edible while the bark is used medicinally and as source of tannins. The wood is of high quality and resistant to termite attack. It is used for constructions, furniture, panelling, cabinet making, agriculture implements, bridges, piles, etc.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Pterocarpus dalbergioides is a deciduous Tree growing to 35 m (114ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Lingoum dalbergioides (Roxb.) Pierre Pterocarpus advenus Baill. Pterocarpus indicus auct. Non Willd.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses:

The flowers and very young leaves can be eaten[418 ].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent

The bark contains tannins and is astringent. It is used medicinally[418 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Furniture  Tannin  Wood

Other Uses: The bark is a source of tannins[418 ]. The heartwood is variable, mainly a rich crimson hue or shades of red to brown, often with darker red or blackish streaks, it is sometimes pale red or yellowish; the narrow band of sapwood is greyish. The texture is rather coarse; the grain generally interlocked; dull to lustrous; without characteristic odour or taste[316 ]. The heartwood is rated as very durable and also resistant to termite attack[316 ]. The wood is moderately hard; it is not difficult to saw and machine but because of interlocked grain does not dress to a smooth finish; it turns well; takes a good polish[146 , 316 ]. It is used for light to heavy construction, joists, rafters, beams and interior finish. It is also used to make high quality furniture, panelling, musical instruments, high-grade cabinet work, interior joinery, billiard tables, decorative flooring, agricultural implements, veneer, etc[316 , 418 ]. Because it withstands weathering, wearing and insect attacks, it is used for bridges, piles, posts, railway sleepers and mine timbers[418 ].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of the wet, lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 100 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 32°c, but can tolerate 15 - 37°c[418 ]. Plants are not tolerant of frost. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 3,000 - 3,500mm, but tolerates 2,500 - 4,000mm[418 ]. Grows best in a sunny position, tolerating light shade[418 ]. The tree is shade tolerant in youth[418 ]. Succeeds in most soils[418 ]. The tree is best adapted to damp conditions[418 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7.5[418 ]. 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[200 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed -

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Andaman padauk, East Indian-mahogany, andaman-padauk - Swedish

Native Range

TROPICAL ASIA: India (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Data Deficient

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Dipterocarpus alatusApitong, baume de gurjun, gurjun balsamTree30.0 10-12 SLMHSNM024
Dipterocarpus gracilisTagalog: PanaoTree50.0 10-12 MMHSNM013
Dipterocarpus grandiflorusApitongTree40.0 10-12 SMHSNM003
Dipterocarpus kerriiKerr's KeruingTree40.0 10-12 MMHSNM023
Pterocarpus angolensisAmbilaTree25.0 10-12 MLMNM034
Pterocarpus erinaceusAfrican KinoTree20.0 10-12 SLMNM034
Pterocarpus indicusAmboyna, Indian Padauk, Burmese Rosewood, Narra, BloodwoodTree30.0 10-12 FLMHSNM224
Pterocarpus soyauxiiAfrican CoralwoodTree30.0 10-12 FLMHNM224

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

DC.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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