| Ailanthus triphysa | |
|---|---|
| Ailanthus triphysa | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Simaroubaceae |
| Genus: | Ailanthus |
| Species: | A. altissima |
| Binomial name | |
| Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Alston. |
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| Synonyms | |
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Ailanthus triphysa is an Asian and Australian rainforest tree.
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It occurs in India, Sri Lanka, China, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. In Australia, Ailanthus triphysa occurs in Western Australia,[1] Queensland and as far south as the Clarence River (New South Wales).
A medium to tall evergreen tree to 30 m and diameter of 1.2 m.[2] The trunk is not buttressed, but rather straight and cylindrical. The bark is grey, somewhat rough and resembling sandpaper to the touch.
Leaves are pinnate, curved and sickle shaped drawn out to a point. Particularly oblique at the base. Venation is prominent, the net veins more obvious under the leaf.
Flowers are creamy green, flowering in November to January in Australia. The fruit is a samara, often forming in threes.
Common names in Australia include White Bean, White Siris and Ferntop Ash.
The resin is used for medicinal purposes in India. The timber is also of value; being light, white and soft, it is easily worked. The resin (halmaddi) is also used in the manufacture of traditional Nag Champa incense sticks. The (scented) resin of Ailanthus triphysa is applied to the split bamboo sticks after which the sticks are again covered in powdered sandal wood and plumeria pollen. The resin has the advantage of remaining in a semi solid pliable state as it absorbs moisture from the air. It is also used in the manufacture of other resinous incense.