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Pterocarpus indicus Willd.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Lingoum indicum (Willd.) Kuntze; Lingoum wallichii (Wight & Arn.) Pierre; Pterocarpus wallichii Wight & Arn; Pterocarpus zollingeri Miq |
| Common Name: | Angsana, Sena, Burmese Rosewood, Philippine Mahogany, Andaman Redwood, Red Sandalwood, Padouk, Padauk, Narra, Pokok Sena, 紫檀木, 青龙木, 印度紫檀 |
Pterocarpus indicus, locally known as Angsana, is an iconic tree commonly cultivated along the roads of Singapore. The spreading dome-shaped crown and drooping branches provide shade to pedestrians. When in bloom, the tree puts on an impressive yet short-lived display where the whole crown is covered with vibrant yellow flowers. The fruit pods are disc-like and dispersed by the wind.
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Rounded, Weeping / Pendulous |
| Maximum Height | 40 m |
| Tree or Palm – Trunk Diameter | 2 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malesia. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is an evergreen to semi-deciduous tree, up to 40 m tall with plank-like buttresses. It has spreading dome-shaped crown and drooping branches. The bark is grey-brown, finely fissured and scaly. It may produce red sap when cut. The trunk is often multi-stemmed near the base. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are alternate, odd-pinnate (imparipinnate) and 20 – 25 cm long. The leaf stalk (petiole) is 1.5 – 4 cm long. Each leaf has 5 – 11 leaflets which are broadly ovate to elliptic shaped (4 – 15 cm long and 2 – 9 cm wide). The terminal leaflet is larger than the other leaflets. Each leaflet has 8 – 10 pairs of lateral veins and the midrib is flat or impressed above. The tip of the leaflet is abruptly acuminate to mucronate while the base is rounded to broadly cuneate. Stipule is lanceolate (1 – 1.5 cm long) and falls off early. Young leaves are sparsely hairy, becoming smooth and hairless (glabrous) as they mature. |
| Flowers | Occurring on the upper leaf axils and terminal ends of the branches, the inflorescence is a branched cluster (panicle) or a raceme, about 10 – 20 cm long. The flower is bright yellow, fragrant and about 1.5 cm long. Each flower comprises of five petals, namely one broadly ovate to orbicular standard petal, two oblong wing petals and two oblong keel petals. Within the keel, there are 10 stamens which occur in 2 bundles of 5 (diadelphous). |
| Fruit | Fruit pod is disc-like (3 – 5 cm diameter), with a central seed-bearing portion and a flattened wing surrounding the central part. Each pod contains about 1 – 2 seeds within. Young fruit pods are green with golden hairs and gradually becoming pale brown and smooth as they ripen. The fruit pods do not split open even when ripe (indehiscent). The seed is brown, and oblong to kidney-shaped (0.8 – 1 cm long and 0.4 – 0.5 cm wide). |
| Habitat | It is found along margins and open areas of evergreen forest, up to 600 m altitude. |
| Similar | It closely resembles Pterocarpus macrocarpus . The leaflets and fruit characters help to tell the two species apart. The mature leaflets of Pterocarpus indicus are broadly ovate to elliptic shaped and glabrous on both surfaces. In addition, the midrib is flat or impressed above. On the other hand, Pterocarpus macrocarpus has ovate to oblong leaflets and sparse hairs on the lower surface of the leaflets. The midrib is raised above. The fruit pod of Pterocarpus indicus is smaller (3-5 cm diameter) while Pterocarpus macrocarpus fruit pod is bigger (5-10 cm in diameter) |
| Associated Fauna | Flowers are pollinated by insects. |
| Cultivation | It thrives in moist sandy loam or clay loam soil, and can tolerate compacted clayey soils found in urban sites. It can be propagated by seeds and stem cutting. Seeds germinate better when they are extracted from the indehiscent fruit pods before sowing. Widely used as 'instant tree' in Singapore during 1960s, it is a popular shade tree thanks to its rapid growth and ability to root from large branch-cuttings. Many Angsana trees in Singapore are unfortunately severely affected by fungal epidemic (Fusarium Wilt) during 1980s. It is also prone to being attacked by leaf-mining caterpillars of a moth (Neolithocolletis pentadesma). During severe infestation, the leaves may become unsightly and even completely defoliated. The use of systemic soil drench or trunk-injection pesticides may help to control the caterpillar infestation. |
| Etymology | The genus ‘Pterocarpus’, in Greek, means winged seed. The species epithet 'indicus' refers to India, one of the places where it occurs naturally. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In Laos and Vietnam, leaves and bark are used as a folk remedy to treat vomiting and nausea. The red exudates, also known as Dragon’s Blood, is used in traditional folk medicine to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. Timber & Products: The wood is hard, durable, easy to work with and does not blunt tools rapidly because it contains very little or no silica. The timber is reddish brown with darker irregular streaks and is highly prized for its decorative wood pattern. The wood is used for panelling, cabinetry, cart wheels, carving, construction, furniture, canoe, and musical instruments. Fresh and dry sawdust may produce an aromatic scent, and may cause nose or throat irritation. Cultural / Religious: It is recognised as the national tree of the Philippines in 1934. Heritage Tree: There are 9 individuals of Pterocarpus indicus listed as Heritage Trees in Singapore. They are found all over various parts of Singapore. To find out more about these trees, please visit the Heritage Tree Register. Others: The mature leaves are used as shampoo in Laos and Vietnam. In Indonesia, the flowers and very young leaves are reportedly edible. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | When in bloom, the tree puts on an impressive display where the whole crown is covered with vibrant yellow flowers. These flowers often only last for a day and fall off the next morning, creating yellow carpets on the ground. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) (Day) |
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Coastal, Shade Providing Tree / Palm |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Branches are weak and prone to be broken during storms. |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks | It thrives in moist sandy loam or clay loam soil, and can tolerate compacted clayey soils found in urban sites. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Caterpillar Moth Food Plant |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Wind) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Easy to Grow, Saline Soils / Salt Spray |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Diseases | Many Angsana trees in Singapore are unfortunately severely affected by fungal epidemic (Fusarium Wilt) during 1980s. It is also prone to being attacked by leaf-mining caterpillars of a moth (Neolithocolletis pentadesma). During severe infestation, the leaves may become unsightly and even completely defoliated. The use of systemic soil drench or trunk-injection pesticides may help to control the caterpillar infestation. |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
| Propagule Establishment Remarks | Cuttings of branches root easily. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen, Drought / Semi-Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Odd-Pinnate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate, Mucronate |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse, Cuneate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Tree - Dense Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Mature Bark Texture | Fissured, Scaly |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Thin |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary, Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme, Panicle |
| Flowering Period | A Few Times Yearly |
| Flowering Opening Time | Daytime |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | 1 Day |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
| Flowering Period Remarks | Ocassional mass-blooming triggered by unknown factors, possibly dry weather and cool nights. |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Papery |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
References
| References | Balslev, H. and Chantaranothai, P. (2018). Leguminosae-Papilionoideae. In: Santisuk, T., Chayamarit, K. and Balslev, H. (eds) Flora of Thailand, vol 4 part 3.1. Pp. 221-371. Bangkok: The Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Gardner, S., Sidisunthorn, P., & Chayamarit, K. (2016). Forest Trees of Southern Thailand. Volume 2 (Eu – Me). The Forest Herbarium, Bangkok, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Pp. 749−1530. Bangkok: Kobfai Publishing Project Hoang Van Sam, Nanthavong, K. & Kessler, P.J.A. (2004). Trees of Laos and Vietnam: a field guide to 100 economically or ecologically important species. Blumea 49: 201–349 Lemmens, R.H.M.J. and Soerianegara, I. (eds). (1993). Plant Resources of South-East Asia Volume 5 (1). Timber trees: Major commercial timbers. Indonesia: Prosea Foundation. 610 pages. Whitmore, T.C. (1972). Leguminosae. In: Whitmore, T.C. (ed) Tree Flora of Malaya: A Manual for Foresters, vol. 1. Kuala Lumpur: Longman Sdn. Bhd. |
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Others
| Master ID | 1800 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3093 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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