Outdoor Plant

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• Dalbergia latifolia Roxb. (Leguminosae, subfamily Papilionoideae) is predominantly a single-stem deciduous tree with a dome shaped crown of lush green foliage. On wet sites it may remain evergreen. The trees reach a height of 20-40 meters with a girth of 1.5 – 2.0 meters (Prasad et al, 1993). Leaves are alternate, odd-pinnate with 5-7 unequal-sized leaflets originating from the same rachis. Leaflets are broadly obtuse, dark green above and pale below. Flowers are white in axillary panicles, 0.5-1.0 cm long. The brown pods are oblong-lanceolate and pointed at both ends. They contain 1-4 smooth brown seeds and do not open at maturity. The bark is grey, thin with irregular short cracks, exfoliating in fibrous longitudinal flakes (Troup, 1921; Kadambi, 1954). The root system is well developed, consisting of deep tap roots and long lateral roots. When near the soil surface, roots produce suckers.

• The annual rainfall in D. latifolia’s native habitat ranges from 750-5000 mm. As a seedling D. latifolia is shade tolerant but sensitive to drought and fire. In maturity, it is tolerant of drought and ground fire, but susceptible to crown fire. It is classified as a moderate light demander (Troup, 1921). Establishment is restricted by frost. It survives maximum temperatures of 37°-50° C, minimum temperature of 15° – 0° C, and relative humidity of 40-100 percent. Dalbergia latifolia occurs from the low plains to roughly 1500 m (Kadambi, 1954). It commonly grows with Tectona grandis, Terminalia sp., Anogeissus latifolia and bamboos.
• This species grows on a variety of soil formations including; gneiss, trap, laterite, alluvial, and boulder deposits. It grows best on well-drained, deep, moist soils. Dalbergia latifolia is common on deep loams or clays containing lime. It also grows well on black cotton soils. Shallow dry soils and poor drainage stunt tree growth.

• The natural range of Dalbergia latifolia stretches from the sub-Himalayan tract to the southern tip of India and the island of lava in Indonesia (Kadambi, 1954). Its best growth occurs in the Western Ghat forests of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It has been introduced to Burma, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria, and Kenya (Kadambi, 1954).

• The sapwood of D. latifolia is pale yellowish-white often with a tinge of purple. Heartwood varies in color from light golden brown to shades of light purple with dark streaks, or deep purple with distant black lines. The heartwood darkens with age and weighs about 850 kg per cubic meter. The wood is very hard with no distinct annual rings. It is difficult to work because of its high density. The wood is fragrant and commands a high price. It is used to make premium-grade furniture, panelling, veneers, and interior and exterior joinery. Secondary uses of the wood include; knife handles, musical instrument calico-printing blocks, mathematical instruments, agricultural implements, and boats keels and screws.

• Dalbergia latifolia is a popular agroforestry species in Indonesia. Trees are spaced widely, 3 x I to 6 x 2 m, with intercrops of upland rice, maize, beans, or cassava during the first three years. In other systems D. latifolia is planted with mango, annona, jackfruit, and guava. When the tree canopies begin to close, shade tolerant crops, like turmeric and ginger, are underplanted (Sukandi, 1993). Farmers use the nitrogen- rich foliage of D. latifolia as a green manure and fodder.

• Tannins from the bark are used to produce medicines for the treatment of diarrhoea, worms, indigestion, and leprosy. These tannins also produce an appetizer.

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