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Shorea polysperma - (Blanco) Merr.

Common Name Dark-red Philippine-mahogany
Family Dipterocarpaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Hill forest and evergreen, mixed dipterocarp forests[338 , 451 ].
Range Southeast Asia - Philippines
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Shorea polysperma Dark-red Philippine-mahogany


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Shorea polysperma Dark-red Philippine-mahogany
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Summary

Shorea polysperma, or commonly known as Tanguile, is a large tree endemic to the Philippines threatened by habitat loss. It has a straight, cylindrical, buttressed bole. It has no known medicinal and edible uses but is is widely exploited from the wild for its wood that is used for panelling, joinery, furniture, cabinet work, carpentry, flooring, stairs, boxes and crates, veneer, ship building, etc.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Shorea polysperma is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
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. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Mocanera polysperma Blanco

Plant 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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Wood

Other Uses: The heartwood is red-brown; it is clearly demarcated from the 5 - 6cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain interlocked with a visible silver figure and the presence of white lines (resin canals); there is a slight lustre. The wood ranges from soft to fairly hard; it is of medium weight; moderately durable, being fairly resistant to fungi, dry wood borers and termites. The drying rate is normal to slow, there is a slight risk of distortion or checking, but once dry it is stable in service. The wood works well with normal tools; there is a tendency to tear in planing if tools are not kept sharp; pre-boring is necessary when screwing or nailing; it glues correct. The wood is used in a wide range of applications including interior and exterior panelling, joinery, furniture, cabinetwork, carpentry, flooring, stairs, ship building, boxes and crates, veneer[848 ].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Not known

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

We have no specific information for this species - the information below is a general guide for the genus. Seed - best sown as soon as possible. It does not require pre-treatment, but it is recommended to soak the seed for 12 hours prior to sowing[325 ]. The seeds are sown in seedbeds, where they are covered with a mixture of sand and soil (1:1) or with a thin layer of sawdust[325 ]. Germination of fresh seeds is usually good and rapid. About two weeks after germination, when the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, they are potted up into individual containers about 15 x 23cm with good drainage holes at their base[325 ]. It is normally recommended to use a mixture of forest soil and sand (at a ratio of 3:1) as the potting medium in order to introduce the appropriate mycorrhiza to the roots. The seedlings are placed in 50 - 60% sunlight and watered twice daily[325 ]. Seedlings can be planted out when 30 - 40cm tall - harden the seedlings off in full sunlight for one month prior to planting[325 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Dark-red Philippine-mahogany, tangile - Filipino, tanguile - Filipino.

Native Range

TROPICAL ASIA: Philippines

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: Critically Endangered A1cd

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Shorea balangeranRed BalauTree25.0 10-12 MLMSNM004
Shorea javanicaDammar, White merantiTree40.0 10-12 FLMHNM103
Shorea johorensisSeraya majau, Meranti majauTree50.0 10-12 MLMHNM004
Shorea macrophyllaLight Red Meranti, Engkabang, False Ilipe NutTree35.0 10-12 FMHNM324
Shorea obtusaTaengwood Balau, tengTree20.0 10-12 MLMNDM024
Shorea quadrinervisLight Red MerantiTree30.0 10-12 MLMHNDM004
Shorea robustaSal TreeTree40.0 10-12 FLMHNM434
Shorea siamensisDark red meranti, Light red meranti, Red lauanTree18.0 10-12 FLMNDM024

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

(Blanco) Merr.

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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Subject : Shorea polysperma  
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