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Summary

Found in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, Shorea obtusa is a deciduous tropical tree growing in relatively dry areas, reaching a height of about 10- 30 m and bole diameter of up to 60 cm. The flowers are yellow that droop in clusters. The plant yields a very hard timber, which is used for construction purposes, with high commercial value. The trunk also yields resin for local and medicinal uses. In particular, it is used in the treatment of wounds, ulcers, dysentery, etc. The resin is also used for caulking boats and baskets, and in making traditional torches.

Physical Characteristics

Shorea obtusa is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

This name is unresolved.

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

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.
Antibiotic Dysentery Malaria

A resin obtained from the tree is antibiotic. It is used in the treatment of wounds, ulcers etc[404 , 730 ]. It is also recommended as a cure for dysentery[404 ]. The bark is used to treat malaria[404 ].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Furniture Lighting Resin Waterproofing Wood

Other Uses: The bark has a high tannin content[404 ]. A yellowish resin exudes from the bark. It is used for caulking baskets and boats and to make a traditional torch[404 , 730 ]. The heartwood is brown, turning to dark brown or dark reddish brown, often with fine dark lines; the narrow band of sapwood is pale yellow to pale brownish-white. Texture is medium, the grain interlocked and lustre is dull. The wood is heavy, very hard and durable, especially in the open and in contact with water. Sawing is reported to be rather difficult, mostly due to the high resin content; the wood works quite smooth; it is slightly susceptible to surface cracking and end splitting. However, untreated sleepers have lasted for 15 years[404 ]. The wood is used for construction works, bridges, piles, ship-building, framing of boats, utility and garden furniture, interior uses such as parquet flooring, heavy-duty flooring, window- and door frames. It is also very valuable for railway sleepers[404 ].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of tropical monsoon climates, where it grows at an elevation up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas with a mean annual precipitation of 1,250 - 2,000mm, with a well pronounced wet season and a dry season of up to 6 months. However, it can also grow with less than 1,250mm[404 ]. Requires a sunny position[404 ]. It grows well on well-drained sandy soils, rocky soils, lateritic soils, including ferric acrisols, gleyic acrisols, and ferralic cambisols. Unlike the majority of dipterocarps, it can survive even on very poor soils and rocky areas[404 ]. An acid to neutral pH is suitable[404 ]. In Cambodia it is often found on gray soil on shale[404 ]. The plant is adapted to growing in areas where fires are common in the dry season[404 ].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed. The viability of freshly collected seeds is low and after screening out those attacked by insects and clipping the wings, they are sown right away into shaded nursery beds. Survival percentage has been reported to be 65 - 75%[404 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Taengwood Balau, teng, ngae, chik, pra-choek, thitya, phchok, chaf.

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Cambodia; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Myanmar; Thailand; Viet Nam

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Lower Risk/least concern

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Shorea balangeran	Red Balau	Tree	25.0	10-12	M	LM	SN	M	0	0	4
Shorea javanica	Dammar, White meranti	Tree	40.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	1	0	3
Shorea johorensis	Seraya majau, Meranti majau	Tree	50.0	10-12	M	LMH	N	M	0	0	4
Shorea macrophylla	Light Red Meranti, Engkabang, False Ilipe Nut	Tree	35.0	10-12	F	MH	N	M	3	2	4
Shorea polysperma	Dark-red Philippine-mahogany	Tree	25.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	0	0	4
Shorea quadrinervis	Light Red Meranti	Tree	30.0	10-12	M	LMH	N	DM	0	0	4
Shorea robusta	Sal Tree	Tree	40.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	4	3	4
Shorea siamensis	Dark red meranti, Light red meranti, Red lauan	Tree	18.0	10-12	F	LM	N	DM	0	2	4

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.

Expert comment

Author

Wall. ex Blume

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.

Shorea obtusa - Wall. ex Blume