Pterocarpus indicus

Pterocarpus indicus

Amboyna wood or Malay padauk, Papua New Guinea rosewood, Philippine mahogany, Andaman redwood, Burmese rosewood, narra, asana, angsana, Pashu padauk (Pterocarpus indicus Willd.) is an arboreal species belonging to the Fabaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota Domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Magnoliophyta Division,
Magnoliopsida class,
Fabales Order,
Fabaceae family,
Faboideae subfamily,
Dalbergieae tribe,
Genus Pterocarpus,
P. indicus species.
The terms are synonymous:
– Echinodiscus echinatus Miq.;
– Lingoum echinatum (Pers.) Kuntze;
– Lingoum indicum (Willd.) Kuntze;
– Lingoum rubrum Rumph.;
– Lingoum saxatile Rumph.;
– Lingoum wallichii Pierre;
– Pterocarpus blancoi Merr.
– Pterocarpus carolinensis Kaneh.
– Pterocarpus casteelsi var. ealaensis Hauman;
– Pterocarpus echinatus Pers.;
– Pterocarpus klemmei Merr.
– Pterocarpus obtusatus Miq.
– Pterocarpus pallidus Blanco
– Pterocarpus papuanus F.Muell.
– Pterocarpus pubescens Merr.
– Pterocarpus vidalianus Rolfe
– Pterocarpus wallichii Wight & Arn.
– Pterocarpus zollingeri Miq.
– Pterocarpus santalinus Blanco;
– Pterocarpus vidalianus Rolfe.

Etymology –
The term Pterocarpus comes from the Greek πτερóν pterόn ala and from carpos fruit: with winged fruits.
The specific epithet indicus refers to its origin from the Indies, in the broadest sense of East Indies.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Pterocarpus indicus is a plant with an origin range that includes East Asia and precisely: Brunei, Cambodia, China (Guangdong and Yunnan), Philippines, Japan (Nansei-Shoto Islands), Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Malaysia , Micronesia, Myanmar, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam.
Its habitat is that of forests, often near water courses, from sea level up to about 1300 m above sea level.

Description –
Pterocarpus indicus is an evergreen or briefly deciduous tree, which can reach 30 m in height.
It has a large and dense crown and branches that are initially ascending, then arched and eventually drooping.
The trunk is erect, with a diameter of up to 2 meters, provided at the base of tabular roots (flattened roots similar to buttresses that contribute to the support of large trees), with greyish bark, which in the old specimens tends to flake off in longitudinal strips, from whose wounds exudes a red resin.
This plant has a root system that is capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, enriching the soil.
The leaves are alternate, imparipinnate, 15-30 cm long, with 5-11 alternate ovate-elliptic leaflets with entire margin and sharply pointed apex, 5-12 cm long and 3-7 cm broad, of bright green color.
The inflorescences are axillary, rarely terminal, racemose or panicle, 10-18 cm long, carrying numerous fragrant hermaphroditic flowers, on a 0.8-1 cm long pedicel, with green campanulate calyx, 0.5 cm long, and papilionaceous corolla, about 1.6 cm long, yellow or orange yellow, with ovate-oblong banner and oblong wings with wavy margins, keel smaller than the wings and 10 stamens, of which 9 with the filaments welded together and one free ( stamens diadelfi).
It blooms in a gregarious way, progressively coloring the entire crown of yellow.
The fruit is a flattened indehiscent orbicular legume, 5-7 cm in diameter, winged along the margins, initially light green, then brown when ripe, containing 1-2 kidney-shaped seeds, 1-2 cm long, colored Bruno; the fruits are mainly dispersed by the wind and to a lesser extent by water, being able to float, for the coastal populations.

Cultivation –
Pterocarpus indicus is a fast-growing tree that can be grown in tropical and humid subtropical climate zones.
It does not tolerate temperatures slightly below 6-8 ° C if not exceptional and for a very short period, where it is often used in parks and gardens of great extension or as a road tree, for the ornamental foliage and the brilliant flowering, but the its location due to the extensive superficial root system.
In the humid tropics it is found at altitudes up to 750 meters, although it can be grown at higher altitudes and grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are between 24 and 32 ° C, but can tolerate between 12 and 37 ° C.
It prefers an average annual rainfall between 2,000 and 3,000 mm, but tolerates 1,500 – 3,500 mm.
This plant requires full sun exposure, or at most a slight shade, and adapts to a wide variety of soils, but grows best in deep, draining and fertile ones, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. It tolerates moderate levels of salt in the soil and prefers a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, tolerating between 5 and 7.5.
Reproduction occurs by seed, in draining organic substratum, kept constantly humid at a temperature of 25-28 ° C, with germination times of 1-12 weeks and first flowering after 5-7 years, and also by woody cutting, branches up to 6 cm in diameter root easily and start flowering after 2-3 years.
Trees usually begin flowering and fruiting between 5 and 10 years of age, and plants can flower and bear fruit all year round.

Customs and Traditions –
Pterocarpus indicus is known by various names, depending on the area where it grows. Among these names we remember: Amboyna wood, Andaman redwood, Burmese rosewood, narra, Malay padauk, Papua New Guinea rosewood, Philippine-mahogany (English); angsanah, paduk (Burmese); bluwota (bislama); zi tan (Chinese); narra (Filipino); santal rouge amboine (French); almug (Javanese); lal chandan (Hindi); bethonne, hanemara (kannada); yaeyama-shitan (Japanese); angsana (Indonesian); pitasala (Sanskrit); mai pradoo (Thai); peddagi (telegu).
The large drooping fronds, of a beautiful bright green, make it an ornamental plant for tropical gardens. For centuries, Pterocarpus indicus has been used in traditional medicine for various pathologies. Laboratory studies have recently highlighted the presence in the roots, bark and leaves of bioactive compounds with antibacterial activity.
However, this plant also has food uses.
In the areas of origin it seems that the young leaves and fragrant flowers are eaten.
The flowers are visited by bees and produce honey while the infusions of the leaves are used as a shampoo. The leaves are supposedly good for waxing and polishing brass and copper. It is also a source of kino or resin.
The leaves are also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of health problems. The leaves contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants that provide health benefits for humans, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic benefits. The flavonoids in the leaves may be able to prevent kidney damage.
In folk medicine it is used to fight cancer.This property may be due to an acidic polypeptide found in its leaves that inhibits the growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells by disrupting cell and nuclear membranes.
It was also once one of the sources of lignum nephriticum, a diuretic used in Europe from the 16th to the 18th century. Its reputation was due to its wood infusions, which are fluorescent.
However, Pterocarpus indicus also has agroforestry uses.
A tree that, as mentioned, fixes nitrogen, has been recommended for use in agroforestry systems and as a shade tree for coffee and other crops.
A red dye is obtained from the bark and is a source of kino, a red substance that resembles resin, obtained by tapping several unrelated tropical trees. It is used locally, as an astringent and bronzer.
The red-brown wood has excellent characteristics of hardness, durability, ease of processing and resistance to termites, and is highly appreciated and used in many of the countries of origin for fine furniture, paneling, floors, musical instruments and artistic objects. . Due to excessive exploitation, even illegal, its presence in many of the areas of origin has become rarefied, so much so that it is included, as “vulnerable” (species at risk of extinction in nature), in the red list of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). It is also used in reforestation and soil stabilization programs, and for its resistance also as a windbreak barrier.
It should be emphasized that the precious Amboyna briar, one of the rarest and most appreciated wood products in the world, is marked by small curls and twisted knots.
When working with wood there is a characteristic sweet smell. Furthermore, the redder the wood, the heavier it is, but an average density could be 720 kg / m³. It is little used for ornamental turning, but since the briar is so figured it finds an important use for inlays and other decorations.
Also, although wood is recommended as firewood, it could certainly be used as a fuel; among other things, it burns even when it is green.
This plant is the national tree of the Philippines.

Preparation Method –
All parts of Pterocarpus indicus are variously used in traditional medicine for various pathologies.
For medicinal use, however, a sticky, bitter and oily resin is extracted from the trunk of the plant.
It is said to be antibiliary, emetic and sneezing and is used to treat throat ailments, mouth sores and is a popular remedy for cancers, especially of the mouth.
It was once used to treat diarrhea, often in combination with opium.
The dried leaves are mixed with water and drunk daily to cure headaches.
An infusion is obtained from the young leaves which is used in the treatment of constipation, stomach pain, fevers, asthma and mouth ulcers.
Fresh leaves are chewed with betel nut to relieve cough.
Young leaves are applied externally on boils, prickly heat and ulcers.
Finely ground powdered leaves are applied to the vagina the leaves are said to significantly inhibit the growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells.
A juice made from the roots is used to treat syphilis.
The bark is chewed by women with irregular periods to induce menstruation.
An infusion of the dried bark is used in the treatment of pneumonia.
The juice from the fresh bark is applied topically to heal wounds and sores.
The infusion of leaves is used as a shampoo.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.
Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/121273963/original.jpeg
– https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:516487-1

Warning: Pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; therefore no responsibility is taken for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.