Tembusu
Species of tree
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The tembusu (/təmˈbuːsuː, tɛm-/, təm-BOO-soo or tem-BOO-soo), is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae, native to Southeast Asia (from Indo-China to New Guinea). It is the Malay name for Cyrtophyllum fragrans (synonym Fagraea fragrans). It is also known as ironwood.[3]
| Tembusu | |
|---|---|
| |
| At Singapore Botanic Gardens | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Gentianaceae |
| Genus: | Cyrtophyllum |
| Species: | C. fragrans |
| Binomial name | |
| Cyrtophyllum fragrans | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
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,[4] 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.[5]
Uses
The trunk of this tree can produce very hard wood that can be used to make chopping boards and floors.[citation needed] The wood can last over a hundred years, as it is not consumed by termites and weevils.
Cultural significance
A distinctive and well-loved tembusu tree growing in the Singapore Botanic Gardens is pictured on the Singaporean five-dollar bill.[6]
