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Dalbergia cochinchinensis - Pierre

Common Name Siam Rosewood, Thailand Rosewood
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open semi-deciduous forests[ 338 ]. Open and semi-deciduous forests, occasionally in pure stands. Mainly concentrated at elevations of 400 - 500 metres. Preferring deep sandy clay soil and calcareous soil[ 384 ].
Range Southeast Asia - Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam.
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
Dalbergia cochinchinensis Siam Rosewood, Thailand Rosewood


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Dalbergia cochinchinensis Siam Rosewood, Thailand Rosewood
https://edibleplants.org/

 

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Summary

Dalbergia cohcinchinensis or commonly known as Thailand Rosewood, Siamese Rosewood, or Tracwood, is a threatened species due to overexploitation for its valuable hardwood. It is a slow-growing, large, evergreen tree with a spherical well-branched canopy. It usually grows up to 30 m in height with trunk diameter of up to 120 cm. It has a nitrogen-fixing capability. Aside from it being resistant to insect attacks, the wood is heavy, very hard, and durable. It is used in making high quality furniture, carvings, handicrafts, musical instruments, and sewing machines. It can also be used for fuel and charcoal making.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Dalbergia cochinchinensis is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects.
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 alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

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

Charcoal  Fuel  Furniture  Soil conditioner  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: A nitrogen fixing species, it is suitable for use in agroforestry and for soil improvement[ 337 ]. Other Uses: The heartwood is red or almost black with a fine texture; it is distinctly demarcated from the gray sapwood[ 337 , 404 ]. The texture is uniform and fine. The wood is heavy, very hard and durable, easy to work and resistant to insects[ 337 , 349 , 384 , 404 ]. An attractive wood, the distinctive heartwood makes beautiful patterns when cut, and the cut wood releases a rose-like fragrance[ 337 , 349 , 404 ]. It is used to make high quality furniture, carvings and handicrafts, musical instruments and sewing machines[ 349 , 443 ]. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[ 404 ].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of tropical lowland forests, where it is found at elevations up to 400 metres. It grows in areas with a uniform rainfall in the range 1,200 - 1,650 mm per year, with a mean annual temperature of 20 - 32°c and an absolute minimum temperature of 10°c[ 337 ]. Older plants require a position in full sun, whilst younger plants are shade tolerant. Succeeds in most soil conditions[ 337 ]. Prefers deep sandy clay soils and calcareous soils[ 384 ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[ 337 ]. Plants regenerate well by coppicing[ 384 ]. The bad stem form and a tendency to produce buttresses is a problem and further research on improvement and management is needed[ 337 ]. 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[ 404 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[ K ]. The seeds are orthodox and store well in a dry place[ 337 ]. Air layering. Cuttings Grafting.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Siam Rosewood, Siamese Rosewood, Thailand Rosewood, Tracwood

Native Range

TROPICAL ASIA: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam (south)

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: Vulnerable A1cd

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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

Pierre

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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