Peltophorum pterocarpum

Peltophorum pterocarpum

Synonyms

Baryxylum inerme (Roxb.) Pierre

Caesalpinia ferruginea Decne.

Caesalpinia inermis Roxb.

Inga pterocarpa DC.

Peltophorum ferrugineum (Decne.) Benth.

Peltophorum inerme (Roxb.) Naves ex Fernandez-Villar

Peltophorum roxburghii (G. Don) O. Deg.

Common names

(English) : copper-pod, golden flame, rain tree, rusty shield bearer, sagabark peltophorum, yellow flamboyant, yellow flame, yellow gold mohur, yellow poinciana

(Filipino) : jamerelang laut, siar

(Indonesian) : soga, soga jambal

(Malay) : batai, batai laut, jemerelang laut, jemerelang soga

(Sinhala) : iya vakai

(Spanish) : Flamboyán amarillo

(Tamil) : iya vakai, iyalvagi

(Thai) : krathin paa, no see, nonsi, saan ngoen

(Trade name) : braziletto wood

(Vietnamese) : lim set, trac vang

Origin

Indo-Malayan region, and is found from the Andaman Islands and Sri Lanka westwards through Malesia to Papua New Guinea and northern Australia.

Ecology

Altitude: 0-1600 m Mean annual temperature: 22-32 deg C Mean annual rainfall: 1 500-4 500 mm Soil type: The tree prefers light to medium free draining alkaline soils although it also tolerates clay soils.

Reproductive Biology

Flowering occurs from March-May, although sporadic flowering may occur throughout the year (particularly in young trees), and a second flush of flowers may occur in September-November.

Natural Habitat

Under natural conditions, P. pterocarpum is a lowland species, rarely occurring above an altitude of 100 m. It frequently grows along beaches and in mangrove forests, especially the inner margins of mangroves. In Java it is also found growing wild in Imperata grassland fields and teak forests. The species prefers open or disturbed forest conditions. P. pterocarpum will grow in tropical climates with a dry season of 1-3 months. It thrives best under more or less seasonal conditions in coastal vegetation, rain forests and savanna woodlands.

Description

Peltophorum pterocarpum is a deciduous tree usually reaching a height of 15 (-24) m, although it may attain 50 m and a diameter of 50 (-100) cm. Bark smooth, grey; crown dense, spreading. Leaves large, 30-60 cm long, with 8-10 pairs of pinnae each bearing 10-20 pairs of oblong leaflets 0.8-2.5 cm long with oblique bases. Flowers orange-yellow, each about 2.5 cm in diameter, fragrant, particularly at night; inflorescence brown-tomentose, panicles terminal with rust-coloured buds. Fruits 1-4 seeded pods, flat, thin, winged, 5-10 cm long, dark red when ripe, then turning black. 

P. pterocarpum has a deep root system. The specific epithet 'pterocarpum' alludes to its winged seed.

Propagation methods

P. pterocarpum can be propagated by seeds, grafting or branch cuttings. Seedlings are best raised in the nursery for one year before transplanting to the field. Grafts or cuttings may be used to obtain better uniformity for roadside trees. Wildings have also been successfully used for planting.

Tree Management

P. pterocarpum is fast-growing, attaining a height of 9 m in 3 years and flowering when around 4 years. Agroforestry trials in south Sumatra with hedgerows spaced at 4 m intervals and cut 2-4 times a year indicated that, over a 3-year period, an average pruning yield of 8 tons/ha was possible; the umbrella-shaped crowns which developed following cutting allowed little light to reach the ground. After the first year of establishment, little effort is needed to maintain plantations. Stands will usually survive, even with thick ground cover, such as Imperata or other tall grasses.

Germplasm Management

Seed storage behaviour is orthodox. Germination is hastened by scarifying one end of the hard seed coat, softening the seed coat in dilute acid, or immersing the seed in boiling water for 2 minutes followed by soaking it in cold water for one night. Germination has been recorded at 78%.

Uses

Products

Fodder: It is suitable for use as a fodder. Apiculture: In India, it is a source of pollen for the dammer bee (Trigona iridipennis). Fuel: The tree is used as fuelwood. Timber: The sapwood is greyish-white, turning grey-brown on aging. The heartwood is light reddish-brown or black, moderately hard, moderately heavy, and somewhat lustrous, with a straight to interlocking grain. The wood is used locally for light construction purposes, cabinet making, sawn or hewn building timbers, woodware, woodcarving and marquetry. Tannin or dyestuff: The bark of P. pterocarpum has been an important component of the dark or black 'soga' dye in Java, used for batik work. It is also used for tanning leather, and preserving and dyeing fishing nets. In Indonesia, the bark is used for fermenting palm wine. Medicine: In traditional medicine it is used as an astringent to cure or relieve intestinal disorders after pain at childbirth, sprains, bruises and swelling or as a lotion for eye troubles, muscular pains and sores. It is also used for gargles and tooth powders.

Services

Shade or shelter: P. pterocarpum is a widely-appreciated shade tree, due to its dense spreading crown. It is used in shelterbelts because it is wind firm. Reclamation: P. pterocarpum is a fast-growing tree with potential use for reforestation Nitrogen fixing: It has the ability to fix nitrogen. Soil improver: Copper-pod is a source of green manure. Ornamental: Yellow flame is a very beautiful and elegant ornamental tree. The beautiful golden-yellow flowers may be used as cut flowers. Boundary or barrier or support: The tree can be used as a hedge. Intercropping: It has been tested in rotational alley-cropping/fallow systems in Sumatra, where it shows promise (Van Noordwijk et al., 1992). It has a deep root system. Young trees are often planted in an intercropping system with mahogany or Tectona grandis.

Pests and diseases

P. pterocarpum does not suffer much from pests or diseases. In Singapore, foliage can be severely damaged by the night-flying beetle (Autoseria rufocuprea). It is a host for the bagworm moth, Pteroma plagiophleps, in Bangladesh. The larvae of Hyposidra talaca are defoliators. Powdery mildew caused by Oidium sp. is reported from India.