Description

Tembusa is a medium to large tree timber tree, from Southeast Asian; it usually grows to a height of 75 feet in the wild, with a long straight trunk. The bark is dark brown and deeply fissured. Additionally, it has a conical to irregular shaped crown of moderate density. Moreover, the leaves are evergreen, light in color, opposite, simple, entire, elliptical, somewhat leathery, and 4 to 14 x 5/8 to 2.25 inches. Also, the flowers are borne in clusters, 4 to 5 inches long, with numerous whitish-yellow very fragrant blooms with long extended stamens and the flowers attract insects.

Furthermore, the fruits are small, smooth, and round with a pointed tip. Also, the bitter fruit is food for birds, is less than .5 inches in diameter, and it ripens from green to red. In addition, each fruit contains about 20 tiny brown seeds, used for propagation. Tembusa wood is very hard and resistant to wood insects. It is used for sawn timber, to make chopping blocks, or flooring. It is also excellent for charcoal and fuel. Additionally, the leaves and twigs are a source for traditional medicine. Growth requirements of Tembusa are lacking, but it is a pioneer tree of burned-over areas; so it is assumed it can tolerate various soils, if well-drained. As an ornamental, the tree benefits from pruning, and is a good shade tree in large gardens and parks and along roads.