| Tembusu | |
|---|---|
| |
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Gentianaceae |
| Genus: | Cyrtophyllum |
| Species: | C. fragrans |
| Binomial name | |
| Cyrtophyllum fragrans (Roxb.) DC. | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The tembusu is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae, native to Southeast Asia (from Indo-China to New Guinea). It is the Malay name for Cyrtophyllum fragrans (synonym Fagraea fragrans).
Its trunk is dark brown, with deeply fissured bark, looking somewhat like a bittergourd. The tree grows in an irregular shape from 10 to 25 metres high, with light green oval-shaped leaves, and yellowish flowers with a distinct fragrance. The fruits of the tree are bitter tasting red berries, which are eaten by Pteropus fruit bats.
Common names
Buabua (Fiji Islands), Urung (Philippines), Temasuk (Sabah), Tatrao, Trai (Vietnam), Kan Krao (Thailand), Tembesu (Indonesia), Anan, Anama (Burma), Munpla (Thailand, Laos), Ta Trao (Cambodia).
Uses
The trunk of this tree can produce very hard wood that can be used to make chopping boards and floors. The wood can last over a hundred years, as it is not consumed by termites and weevils.
Cultural significance
A distinctive and well-loved tembusu tree growing in the Botanic Gardens is pictured on the Singaporean five-dollar bill.
In Thailand, it is the provincial tree of Surin Province and the university tree of Ubonratchathani.
References
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2018). "Cyrtophyllum fragrans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T135891057A135895554. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- POWO: Cyrtophyllum fragrans (Roxb.) DC. (retrieved 12 November 2020)
- Tropical plants site description
- Hargreaves, Dorothy; Hargreaves, Bob (1970). Tropical Trees of the Pacific. Kailua, Hawaii: Hargreaves. p. 61.
- Note: Fagraea cochinchinensis is now considered a synonym of Aidia cochinchinensis
External links
Data related to Cyrtophyllum fragrans at Wikispecies
Media related to Cyrtophyllum fragrans at Wikimedia Commons- Description from a woods supply site
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Cyrtophyllum fragrans | |
| Fagraea fragrans |
|