Pterocarpus

Taxobox
name = "Pterocarpus"


image_width = 220px
image_caption = Red Sandalwood "Pterocarpus santalinus"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Fabales
familia = Fabaceae
subfamilia = Faboideae
tribus = Dalbergieae
genus = "Pterocarpus"
genus_authority = Jacq.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text

"Pterocarpus" is a pantropical genus of trees in the family Fabaceae, most of which yield valuable timber traded as padauk. The genus is named from its winged pods. A total of 34 species is currently accepted.International Legume Database & Information Service: [http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb?version~10.01&LegumeWeb&genus~Pterocarpus&species "Pterocarpus"] ]

;Species

The name "Pterocarpus" comes from the unusual shape of the seed pods in the genus. In Greek meaning "wing fruit".

Uses

Padauk (or padouk) wood is obtained from several species of "Pterocarpus". All padauks are of African or Asian origin. Padauks are valued for their toughness, stability in use, and decorativeness, most having a reddish wood. Most "Pterocarpus" woods contain either water- or alcohol-soluble substances and can be used as dyes.

The padauk found most often in the timber trade is African Padauk from "Pterocarpus soyauxii" which, when freshly cut, is a very bright red but when exposed to sunlight fades over time to a warm brown. Its colour makes it a favourite among woodworkers. Burmese Padauk is "Pterocarpus macrocarpus" while Andaman Padauk is "Pterocarpus dalbergioides". Padauks can be confused with rosewoods to which they are somewhat related, but as a general rule padauks are coarser and less decorative in figure.

Some African padauks are used as herbal medicines to treat skin parasites and fungal infections.World Agroforestry Centre: [http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/Sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=17977 "Pterocarpus soyauxii"] ] This particular timber was called "barwood", most likely a species closely connected to "Pterocarpus soyauxii".

References