- Tembusu
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Tembusu 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Gentianales Family: Gentianaceae Genus: Fagraea Species: F. fragrans Binomial name Fagraea fragrans Synonyms Fagraea cochinchinensis
Cyrtophyllum giganteum
Cyrtophyllum peregrinum
In the Kandy botanic garden, Sri Lanka
The Tembusu (Fagraea fragrans) is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae. It is native to South-east Asia. Its trunk is dark brown, with deeply fissured bark, looking somewhat like a bittergourd. It grows in an irregular shape from 10 to 25m high [1]. Its leaves are light green and oval in shape. Its yellowish flowers have a distinct fragrance and the fruits of the tree are bitter tasting red berries, which are eaten by birds and fruit bats.
Contents
Common names
Buabua (Fiji Islands), Urung (Philippines), Temasuk (Sabah), Tatrao, Trai (Cambodia), Tam Sao (Thailand), Tembesu (Indonesia), Anan, Ananma (Burma).
Uses
The trunk of this tree can produce very hard wood that can be used to make chopping boards.
Symbolism
- It is the provincial tree of Surin Province, Thailand.
- It is pictured on the Singaporean five-dollar bill.
References
External links
Categories:- Fagraea
- Trees of Thailand
- Tree stubs
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