// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Pterocarpus macrocarpus say? I'm a little "wood"-en.
Pterocarpus macrocarpus, commonly known as Burma padauk or Burmese padauk,[1] is a species of tree in the family Fabaceae. It is an important timber tree and is celebrated as a national symbol in Myanmar.
| Burma padauk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Foliage and flowers of P. macrocarpus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Pterocarpus |
| Species: | P. macrocarpus |
| Binomial name | |
| Pterocarpus macrocarpus | |
| Synonyms[4][3] | |
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List
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Description
[edit]Pterocarpus macrocarpus is a medium-sized tree growing to 10–30 m (rarely to 39 m) tall, with a trunk up to 1.7 m diameter; it is deciduous in the dry season. The bark is flaky, grey-brown; if cut, it secretes a red gum. The leaves are 200–350 mm long, pinnate, with 9–11 leaflets. The flowers are yellow, produced in racemes 50–90 mm long. The fruit is a pod surrounded by a round wing 45–70 mm diameter, containing two or three seeds.[5][6]
The wood is durable and resistant to termites; it is important, used for furniture, construction timber, cart wheels, tool handles, and posts;[6] though not a true rosewood it is sometimes traded as such. The seasonal padauk flowers bloom annually around Thingyan (April) and is considered one of the national symbols[7] of Myanmar (formerly Burma).
Padauk flowers during Thingyan
Padauk seeds
Displayed Padauk wood
Distribution and habitat
[edit]The species is native to the seasonal tropical forests of mainland Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.[4] It has been naturalized in parts of India and the Caribbean.[5] It typically grows in dry deciduous forests, often associated with teak and bamboo.
Uses
[edit]The timber is very durable and resistant to termites. It is heavy, hard, and has a fine-grained, reddish-brown appearance. It is highly valued for high-end furniture, flooring, tool handles, and traditional musical instruments. Padauk is often traded as "Amboyna wood" when it features burls.[6]
Culture
[edit]In Myanmar, the padauk flower is a national symbol and is closely associated with the Thingyan (Burmese New Year) festival. The flowers typically bloom once a year in April after the first spring rains. It is regarded as a symbol of strength and durability.[8]
Status
[edit]The species is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to over-exploitation for its timber and habitat loss across its native range.[2]
References
[edit]- ↑ NRCS. "Pterocarpus macrocarpus". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- 1 2 Barstow, M. (2019). "Pterocarpus macrocarpus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019 e.T32308A2813424. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T32308A2813424.en. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- 1 2 "Pterocarpus macrocarpus". International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS). Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- 1 2 "Pterocarpus macrocarpus Kurz". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- 1 2 "Pterocarpus macrocarpus" (PDF). Danida Forest Seed Centre. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- 1 2 3 "Pterocarpus macrocarpus". International Institute of Tropical Forestry. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ↑ Australia, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Parks. "Floral Emblems of the world - Australian Plant Information". www.anbg.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ Minahan, James (2009). The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems. Greenwood Press. p. 115.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Pterocarpus macrocarpus at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Pterocarpus macrocarpus at Wikispecies
