Dalbergia laccifera Laness.
Dalbergia prazeri Prain
Dalbergia oliveri is a deciduous tree with an open, spreading crown; it can grow 15 - 30 metres tall. The straight bole can be 60 - 90cm in diameter[
The tree is harvested from the wild for its attractive wood, which is traded internationally.
The species occurs within a restricted area of distribution and has been overexploited for its beautiful red wood. It has been classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[
]. In 2012 the classification was raised to 'Endangered'[
E. Asia - India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam.
Usually in primary and secondary forest, mixed deciduous forest, tropical evergreen or semi-deciduous forest, along streams, at elevations up to 1,200 metres[
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Young trees are fairly shade tolerant, but older trees prefer a sunny position[
]. Members of this genus generally prefer a fertile, loam soil[
A slow-growing tree[
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[
The heartwood is a dark red-brown; the sapwood white[
]. The wood is close-grained, hard, heavy, and resistant to the attacks of termites. It has an attractive, veined structure and is easy to polish. It is often used for making quality furniture, luxury cabinets, art and handicrafts etc, as well as the handles of agricultural implements[
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[
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