Dalbergia latifolia seed
LATIN NAME: DALBERGIA LATIFOLIA
COMMON NAME: Indian Rosewood, Bombay Blackwood, East Indian Rosewood
The Indian rosewood is one of the most valuable timber trees in the world, and its beauty is legendary. It grows as a large, deciduous or semi-evergreen tree, reaching thirty metres or more, with a broad, spreading crown of pinnate leaves made up of many oval leaflets, small, white, fragrant flowers in large clusters, and long, flat, winged pods holding the seeds. But the tree’s fame lies in its heartwood: a rich, golden-brown to deep purple-brown wood, beautifully figured with darker streaks, that polishes to a high, glowing finish and has been prized for centuries for fine furniture, musical instruments and carvings. Native to southern India and Java, it thrives in warm, seasonally dry climates, and it has been planted widely across the tropics, while overharvesting has made it a protected and closely managed species of conservation concern.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
Indian rosewood has a distinguished record in forestry and phytochemical research. It is one of the most important and valuable timber trees in the world, and foresters and wood scientists have studied its growth, its heartwood formation and the properties of its timber for many decades, while researchers have also examined the sustainability of its harvest, since overuse has made the species a subject of conservation and plantation research. The wood contains bioactive compounds, including isoflavonoids, that have been studied for their antioxidant and medicinal potential, and the genus Dalbergia as a whole has been a rich subject of natural-products research. Ecologists study its role as an initially fast-growing shade tree in the mixed forests of its range, and its nitrogen-fixing roots are of interest in agroforestry. For a tree of such value, Indian rosewood has a rich and important record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
To grow the Indian Rosewood from seed, ecologically, Indian rosewood is a valuable tree of the tropical forest. Its fragrant white flowers feed bees and other pollinators, its flat pods feed birds and wildlife, its large crown gives shade and shelter, and its nitrogen-fixing roots enrich the soil. Economically the timber is one of the most prized in the world, used for high-quality furniture, veneers, carvings, flooring and musical instruments, and it commands very high prices; because of overharvesting the tree is now protected and is an important subject of sustainable-forestry research. For a grower in a suitable climate it is a long-term investment in one of the most valuable trees on earth. To raise the Indian rosewood, soak the seeds in warm water overnight to soften the tough coat, then sow them a centimetre deep in moist, free-draining compost and keep them in steady warmth and good light.
soak the seeds in warm water overnight to soften the tough coat, then sow them a centimetre deep in moist, free-draining compost, and keep the young rosewoods in steady warmth and good light.
LATIN NAME: Dalbergia latifolia
COMMON NAME: Indian Rosewood, Bombay Blackwood, East Indian Rosewood
The Indian rosewood is one of the most valuable timber trees in the world, and its beauty is legendary. It grows as a large, deciduous or semi-evergreen tree, reaching thirty metres or more, with a broad, spreading crown of pinnate leaves made of many oval leaflets. The flowers are small, white and fragrant, and the fruit is a long, flat, winged pod. But the trees fame lies in its heartwood: a rich, golden-brown to deep purple-brown wood, beautifully figured with darker streaks, that polishes to a high, glowing finish. It has been prized for centuries for fine furniture, musical instruments and carvings, and it is one of the most sought-after timbers on earth.
The Indian rosewood belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae, and it is native to southern India and Java. It thrives in warm, seasonally dry climates and grows in mixed forest, and it has been planted widely across the tropics for its timber.
Positive & Encouraging Seed Germination Guide
Growing Indian rosewood from seed is easy and gives good results. The seeds sit inside the flat, winged pods, and they germinate readily in warm, moist conditions, though they have a tough coat, so soak them in warm water overnight, or nick them gently, before sowing. Sow them in pots of free-draining compost, about a centimetre deep, and keep them warm, bright and evenly moist. Germination usually begins within two to five weeks. Pot the seedlings on as they grow, giving them full sun and good drainage, and protect them from frost. In warm, frost-free climates they grow into handsome trees, and in time they will develop the heartwood that has made the species famous.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
Indian rosewood has a distinguished record in both forestry and phytochemical research. It is one of the most important and valuable timber trees in the world, and foresters and wood scientists have studied its growth, its heartwood formation and the properties of its timber for many decades, while researchers have also examined the sustainability of its harvesting, since overharvesting has made the species a subject of conservation concern. The wood contains bioactive compounds, including isoflavonoids, that have been studied for their antioxidant and medicinal potential, and the genus Dalbergia has been the subject of natural-products research. For a tree of such value, Indian rosewood has a rich and important record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
Ecologically, Indian rosewood is a valuable tree of the tropical forest. Its flowers feed bees and other pollinators, its pods feed birds and wildlife, and its large crown gives shade and shelter, while its nitrogen-fixing roots enrich the soil.
Its economic value is enormous. The timber is one of the most prized in the world, used for fine furniture, veneers, carvings and musical instruments, and it commands very high prices. Because of overharvesting, the tree is now protected, and it is an important subject of sustainable-forestry and plantation research. For a grower in a suitable climate, Indian rosewood is a long-term investment in one of the most valuable trees on earth.
This is an important timber tree grown in India and other parts of South East Asia. Some common names in English include blackwood, Bombay blackwood, rosewood, Roseta rosewood, East Indian rosewood, black rosewood, Indian palisandre, and Java palisandre. Its Indian common names are beete, and sitsa. It produces a top class wood, ideally suited for high quality furniture and wooden flooring, and although less widely used it is considered superior to that of Dalbergia sisoo. Native to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, it is now grown widely. Extensively planted in many places as a useful, as an initially fast growing shade tree. It is quite a decorative tree and carries large clusters of small white scented flowers followed by flattened seedpods. However, despite being fast growing initially, it later slows down in its growth rate.