Pterocarpus indicus (Amboine, Pashu Padauk, Malay Paduak, New Guinea Rosewood, o
r, ambiguously, "Narra" which can refer to several Pterocarpus species) is a spe
cies of Pterocarpus native to southeastern Asia, northern Australasia, and the w
estern Pacific Ocean islands, in Cambodia, southernmost China, East Timor, Indon
esia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Ryukyu Islands, the Solom
on Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.[3] Other names include Narra (Philippines), S
onokembang (Indonesia), Angsana or Sena (Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore), Tnu
g (Cambodia).
Pterocarpus indicus was one of the two species (the other being Eysenhardtia pol
ystacha) used as a source for the 16th to 18th-century traditional diuretic know
n as lignum nephriticum.[4]
Many populations of Pterocarpus indicus are seriously threatened. It is extinct
in Vietnam and possibly in Sri Lanka and the Peninsular Malaysia.[1]
It is the national tree of the Philippines.
Contents [hide]
1 Description
2 Uses
3 Symbolism
4 References
5 External links
Description[edit]
Bark of Pterocarpus indicus in Kowloon, Hong Kong
It is a large deciduous tree growing to 30 40 m tall, with a trunk up to 2 m diame
ter. The leaves are 12 22 cm long, pinnate, with 5 11 leaflets, the girth is 12 34 m w
ide. The flowers are produced in panicles 6 13 cm long containing a few to numerou
s flowers; flowering is from February to May in the Philippines, Borneo and the
Malay peninsula. They are slightly fragrant and have yellow or orange-yellow pet
als. The fruit is a semiorbicular pod 2 3 cm diameter, surrounded by a flat 4 6 cm d
iameter membranaceous wing (wing-like structure) which aids dispersal by the win
d. It contains one or two seeds, and does not split open at maturity; it ripens
within 4 6 years, and becomes purple when dry. The central part of the pod can be
smooth (f. indica), bristly (f. echinatus (Pers.) Rojo) or intermediate.[5][6]
Most Pterocarpus species prefer seasonal weather but P. indicus prefer rainfores
ts.
Note: Pterocarpus macrocarpus, a similar species native to Burma, is referred to
as "Rosewood" throughout South East Asia. P. macrocarpus, is usually harder tha
n P. indicus. When in burl form both are referred to as Amboyna Burl.
Uses[edit]
The hardwood, which is purplish, is termite resistant and rose-scented. The wood
known in Indonesia as amboyna is the burl of the tree, named after Ambon, where
much of this material was originally found. Often amboyna is finely sliced to p
roduce an extremely decorative veneer, used for decoration and in making of furn
iture and keys on a marimba.
The flower is used as a honey source while leaf infusions are used as shampoos.
Both flowers and leaves were said to be eaten. The leaves are supposedly good fo
r waxing and polishing brass and copper. It is also a source of kino or resin.[6
]
In folk medicine, it is used to combat tumors.[6] This property might be due to
an acidic polypeptide found in its leaves that inhibited growth of Ehrlich ascit
es carcinoma cells by disruption of cell and nuclear membranes.[citation needed]
It was also one of the sources of lignum nephriticum, a diuretic in Europe duri
ng the 16th to 18th centuries. Its reputation is due to its wood infusions, whic
h are fluorescent.[4]
The tree is recommended as an ornamental tree for avenues and is sometimes plant
ed in Puerto Rico as a shade and ornament. The tall, dome-shaped crown, with lon
g, drooping branches is very attractive and the flowers are spectacular in areas
with a dry season. It is very easily propagated from seed or large stem cutting
s, but suffers from disease problems. It is widely planted as a roadside, park,
and parking lot tree.
