Tembusu
| Tembusu | |
|---|---|
| |
| At Singapore Botanic Gardens | |
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 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
The tembusu (/təmˈbuːsuː, tɛm-/, təm-BOO-soo or tem-BOO-soo), 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). It is also known as ironwood.[3]
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,[4] 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.[5]
Uses
[edit]The trunk of this tree can produce very hard wood that can be used to make chopping boards and floors.[citation needed] The wood can last over a hundred years, as it is not consumed by termites and weevils.
Cultural significance
[edit]A distinctive and well-loved tembusu tree growing in the Singapore Botanic Gardens is pictured on the Singaporean five-dollar bill.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2018). "Cyrtophyllum fragrans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T135891057A135895554. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T135891057A135895554.en. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Cyrtophyllum fragrans (Roxb.) DC". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ "Fagraea fragrans". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ Tropical plants site description
- ^ Hargreaves, Dorothy; Hargreaves, Bob (1970). Tropical Trees of the Pacific. Kailua, Hawaii: Hargreaves. p. 61.
- ^ Lee, Jeremy (10 September 2022). "Iconic Tembusu Tree On S$5 Note Still Stands In Botanic Gardens, Located Near Swan Lake". MustShareNews. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- Note: Fagraea cochinchinensis is now considered a synonym of Aidia cochinchinensis
External links
[edit]
Data related to Cyrtophyllum fragrans at Wikispecies
Media related to Cyrtophyllum fragrans at Wikimedia Commons- Description from a woods supply site
