Pterocarpus macrocarpus

Pterocarpus macrocarpus, or the Burma padauk,[2] is a tree native to the seasonal tropical forests of southeastern Asia: in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.[1][3][4] It has been naturalized in India and the Caribbean.[3]

Burma padauk
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Subfamily:
Faboideae
Tribe:
Dalbergieae
Genus:
Pterocarpus
Species:
P. macrocarpus
Binomial name
Pterocarpus macrocarpus
Synonyms[1]

Description

Pterocarpus macrocarpus is a medium-sized tree growing to 10–30 m (rarely to 39 m) tall, with a trunk up to 1.7 m diameter; it is deciduous in the dry season. The bark is flaky, grey-brown; if cut, it secretes a red gum. The leaves are 200–350 mm long, pinnate, with 9–11 leaflets. The flowers are yellow, produced in racemes 50–90 mm long. The fruit is a pod surrounded by a round wing 45–70 mm diameter, containing two or three seeds.[3][4]

The wood is durable and resistant to termites; it is important, used for furniture, construction timber, cart wheels, tool handles, and posts;[4] though not a true rosewood it is sometimes traded as such. The seasonal padauk flowers bloom annually around Thingyan (April) and is considered one of the national symbols[5] of Myanmar (formerly Burma).

  • Padauk flowers during Thingyan
  • Padauk seeds
  • Displayed Padauk wood

References
  1. "Pterocarpus macrocarpus". International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS). Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  2. "Pterocarpus macrocarpus". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  3. "Pterocarpus macrocarpus" (PDF). Danida Forest Seed Centre. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  4. "Pterocarpus macrocarpus". International Institute of Tropical Forestry. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  5. Australia, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Parks. "Floral Emblems of the world - Australian Plant Information". www.anbg.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
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