| BRIEF DESCRIPTION A small to medium-sized evergreen tree reaching 15-35 m in height with a trunk up to 70 cm in diameter. The trunk is often fluted with smooth or rough and scaly bark, crown conical with spreading branches, leaves leathery, dark green, 7-32 cm long, flowers creamy white and fragrant, and fruit globose, about 5-7.5 cm in diameter. USES Unripe fruits and leaves are used to dye cloth black and for tanning nets and sometimes hides. The tannin also has medicinal properties. In India, the gum from the fruits is used to preserve the bottom of boats, to caulk seams and as a glue in book binding. The fully ripe fruit is edible. The wood is used for cabinet work, furniture and handicrafts. The tree can be planted as an ornamental. GROWING PERIOD Perennial. COMMON NAMES Malabar ebony, Culiket, Kledung, Komoi, Kumun, Plab, Tako suam, Dangkao khmaoch, Kua namz, Hnang heewx, Land dam, Tako thai, Tako suan, Phlap, Gab, Kala tendu, Timburi, Kusharta, Niti tumiki. FURTHER INF Scientific synonym: D. embryopteris, D. peregrina. Malabar ebony occur in India and South-East Asia. It is often found in shade and wet sites near streams in the forest, up to 500 m in elevation. (pH and TEMP estimated by the compiler). |
Lemmens R 1991 pp 70-72 [USE, LIG, DRA, RAIN, TEXT, DEP, FER]
Troup R 1921 pp 651-653 [USE, DRA, LIG, DEP, TEXT] |