Tembusu

Cyrtophyllum fragrans

The tembusu is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae, native to Southeast Asia. It is the Malay name for ''Cyrtophyllum fragrans''.
Tembusu - Fagraea fragrans                                 Cyrtophyllum fragrans,Fagraea fragrans,Malaysia,Penang,Plant,Tembusu,Tree

Appearance

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, 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.

Naming

Buabua, Urung, Temasuk, Tatrao, Trai, Kan Krao, Tembesu, Anan, Anama, Munpla, Ta Trao.

Uses

The trunk of this tree can produce very hard wood that can be used to make chopping boards.

The wood can last over a hundred years, particularly as termites and weevils do not eat this kind of wood. People always use this wood for creating the floors of their homes and love to sleep on it.

Cultural

The tree is pictured on the Singaporean five-dollar bill.

In Thailand, it is the provincial tree of Surin Province and the university tree of Ubonratchathani.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderGentianales
FamilyGentianaceae
GenusCyrtophyllum
SpeciesC. fragrans
Photographed in
Malaysia