Pterocarpus santalinus
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| Pterocarpus santalinus L.f. |
Pterocarpus santalinus (Red Sandas or Red Sandalwood; Rakta chandana) is a species of Pterocarpus native to India.[1] It is most commonly found in south and southwestern India, notably in the state of Karnataka.[2]
It is a light-demanding small tree growing to 8 m tall with a trunk 50–150 cm diameter. It is fast-growing when young, reaching 5 m tall in three years even on degraded soils. It is not frost tolerant, being killed by temperatures of −1 °C. The leaves are alternate, 3–9 cm long, trifoliate with three leaflets. The flowers are produced in short racemes. The fruit is a pod 6–9 cm long containing one or two seeds.[3][4][5]
[edit] Uses
The wood is valued in China, referred to in Chinese as zitan.[2] It has been one of the most prized woods for centuries.[6] Due to its slow growth and rarity, furniture made from zitan is difficult to find and can be expensive [6]. Between the 17th and 19th centuries in China the rarity of this wood led to the reservation of zitan furniture for the Qing dynasty imperial household.
The other form of zitan is from the species Dalbergia luovelii, Dalbergia maritima, and Dalbergia normandi, all similar species named in trade as bois de rose or violet rosewood which when cut are bright crimson purple changing to dark purple again it has a fragrant scent when worked.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ International Legume Database & Information Service: Pterocarpus santalinus
- ^ a b c http://www.chinese-furniture.com/cgi-bin/ccf.cgi?stt=stp&pgn=newsletter_archive/newsletter_2.html&id= Chinese Furniture.com newsletter; Volume 1, Number 2; Accessed 2007-04-05
- ^ Herbalcureindia: Pterocarpus santalinus
- ^ FAO Ecocrop: Pterocarpus santalinus
- ^ Auroville: Wasteland reclamation through rehabilitation of eroded soil (pdf file)
- ^ a b http://www.wctg.net/zitan.html; Accessed 2007-04-06
