Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Dracontomelon dao (Blanco) Merr. & Rolfe (ANACARDIACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Argus Pheasant Tree, Asam Kuang, Sengkuang, Sekuan

Description

Tall deciduous tree up to 40 m tall with steep plank buttresses to 4 m high. Leaves compound, clustered towards end of twigs, each with 5-9 pairs of leaflets. Flowers white in long hairy panicles. Fruits globose, distinctly 3-locular, c. 3 cm across, smooth.

Ecology

Lowland forests to 200 m, common by streams.

Distribution

Widely distributed from Eastern India, most of SE Asia, and China.

Uses

Fruits are edible. Timber is rather soft and not durable. The coloured heartwood is suitable for making high quality cabinets and furniture.