Burmese rosewood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Amboyna Wood
• Burmese Rosewood
• Malay padauk
• Red Sandalwood
• Amboyna-wood
• Andaman redwood
• Papua New Guinea rosewood
• Philippine-mahogany
• Burmese-Rosewood
• pterocarpus

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lingoum indicum
• Lingoum echinatum
• Pterocarpus echinatus
• Echinodiscus echinatus
• Pterocarpus flavus
• Pterocarpus blancoi
• Pterocarpus wallichii
• Pterocarpus zollingeri
• Pterocarpus indicus f. echinatus
• Pterocarpus obtusatus
• Pterocarpus klemmei
• Pterocarpus papuana
• Pterocarpus pallidus
• Pterocarpus casteelsii var. ealaensis
• Pterocarpus carolinensis
• Malaparius flavus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Following the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Taxonomically, it is identified under the genus Pterocarpus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence can be documented in Sierra Leone. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, it is found around the Gulf of Guinea Islands as well as within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species also extends into East Tropical Africa, where it inhabits the landscapes of Kenya. Finally, its range continues through the neighboring territory of Tanzania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Pterocarpus indicus is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As it matures, the plant exhibits a deciduous habit, undergoing a seasonal process where it sheds its foliage, typically in response to specific climatic cues or dry periods. This cyclical pattern of growth and leaf senescence is integral to its biological rhythm, enabling the plant to manage resource allocation and survive varying environmental conditions over its extended lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pterocarpus indicus is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that can reach a significant plant height of up to 30 meters. As a terrestrial species, it maintains an independent growth habit, functioning as a non-parasitic organism rather than an obligate or facultative parasite. Unlike climbing vines or lianas, this plant is self-supporting in its structural development, exhibiting a robust, self-supporting growth form that does not require external support to ascend. Its biological nature is strictly terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic tendencies such as hemi-epiphytic or holo-epiphytic stages, and it does not inhabit aquatic or semiaquatic environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pterocarpus indicus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon assimilation processes and metabolic efficiency under typical environmental conditions. The structural integrity and mechanical properties of its woody tissues are reflected in a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 669 mg/cm³, indicating a substantial investment in biomass density for structural support. Furthermore, the species exhibits a specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic microorganisms, functioning as a nitrogen fixer, which allows it to enhance soil fertility and maintain nutritional autonomy through the biological conversion of atmospheric nitrogen.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

669 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pterocarpus indicus is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate fertilization. Specifically, the pollination process involves various insects, with bees playing a significant role in the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds that exhibit a notable range of physical characteristics. The seed mass varies significantly, with a minimum weight of 0.0795 g and a maximum weight reaching up to 0.5367 g. On average, the seed mass is approximately 0.25092 g, reflecting the diverse distribution of reproductive output within the species.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.5367 g

Seed mass mean:

0.25092 g

Seed mass min:

0.0795 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pterocarpus indicus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Angolensin, Maackiain.

Angolensin

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Maackiain

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Activities

Pterocarpus indicus has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Astringent.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Astringent

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Medicinal Uses

Pterocarpus indicus has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Benign prostatic hyperplasia, bladder stones, boils, coughs, diuresis.

Most Reported Uses