Dipterocarpaceae

Native: Southern Western Ghats (Endemic)

Systematic position

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Streptophyta

Order: Malvales

Family: Dipterocarpaceae

Common Names

English – Malabar Ironwood

Malayalam –  തമ്പകം

Description: Evergreen trees that reache up to 35m hight with straight bole. Leaves simple, alternate, 8-11.5cm long 3-5cm wide, ovate, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, apex acute or glabrous. Flowers bisexual, 3-4mm across, creamy yellow, in unilateral terminal and upper axillary, tomentose racemose panicles. Fruit a nut, 5-6 mm long, terete, glabrous; wings 2, 6 x 1.8 cm, 8-10 nerved, glabrous. 

Distribution: India

Uses: Wood is used for poles, stakes, posts, rails, crossties, beams, frames and tool handles. The bark is used to tan leather, especially heavy quality leather. The resin from the trunk is used to treat wounds and sores, and the bark is used to treat diarrhea.