We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

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


wikimedia.org
Shorea polysperma Dark-red Philippine-mahogany
phytoimages.siu.edu

 

Translate this page:

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

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

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

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:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

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 Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

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

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.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

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.

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Shorea polysperma  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.