Dalbergia oliveri

Dalbergia oliveri
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Dalbergia
Species:	D. oliveri
Binomial name
Dalbergia oliveri Gamble ex Prain
Synonyms
Dalbergia laccifera Laness. Dalbergia prazeri Prain

Dalbergia oliveri is a species of legume in the Fabaceae family which grows in tree form to 15 – 30 meters in height (up to 100 ft.). The fruit is a green pod containing one to two seeds which turn brown to black when ripe. The trees are found in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Common names throughout S.E. Asia are: Cambodian: "Neang Nuon", Thai: "Mai Ching Chan" (ไม้ชิงชัน), Laos: "Mai Kham Phii", Myanmar: "tamalan" (တမလန်း), and Vietnamese: "cẩm lai" or "trắc lai". It's threatened by habitat loss and over-harvesting for its valuable red lumber.

Uses

The wood of this rosewood-family tree is valuable for ornamental work including Woodturning and furniture. The sapwood is yellowish-white with dark brown heartwood. The heartwood is very hard and heavy. The lumber is sold under the names Burmese rosewood, Laos rosewood, Asian rosewood.

Sources

• Nghia, N.H. 1998. Dalbergia oliveri. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 19 July 2007.