Common Name: Indian Laurel

General Information

Indian laurel is a medium-sized to fairly large deciduous tree that can reach a height of up to 35 metres with a bole up to 200cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use, whilst the valuable timber is exploited commercially[].
A valuable and commercial source of timber, it may have potential for planting in other South-East Asian countries. The tree also supplies tannins.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Common in Sal forest at elevations of 200 - 1,400 metres in Nepal[]. Mixed deciduous forest, sometimes in dry dipterocarp forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of the tropical lowlands, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres[]. It grows best in areas where the mean maximum and minimum annual temperatures are within the range 22 - 35°c, though it can tolerate 5 - 48°c[]. It can be killed by temperatures of -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, though can tolerate from 750 - 3,800mm[].
Succeeds in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil and a position in full sun[]. Young trees are tolerant of considerable shade[]. Grows best in a moist, deep, heavy, clayey soil[]. Tolerant of poor, shallow soils, though it might remain stunted if the conditions are too harsh[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, but tolerates 4.5 - 7.5[].
The tree has a deep taproot[].
The tree coppices freely[].
The bark is fire-resistant[].

Edible Uses

An edible, copious transparent gum exudes in large globular tears from the tree[].

The ashes of the bark yield a kind of lime, which is added to betel leaf and chewed[, ].

The astringent juice from the bark is used in the manufacture of palm sugar[].

Medicinal

The bark, and especially the fruit, yield pyrogallol and catechol. Pyrogallol has antiseptic properties, whilst catechol is an antioxidant.

The bark is astringent. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[].
The juice of the bark is applied externally to cuts and wounds[]. It can also be boiled then rubbed onto the head to remove dandruff[].

A paste of the gum is applied externally to burns and is also used to treat swellings caused by inflammation[].

Other Uses

The bark, and especially the fruit, yield the tannins pyrogallol and catechol which are used to dye and to tan leather[, ].
Catechol is a colourless crystalline solid used as a photographic developer, as an antioxidant, and in the manufacture of dyes and pharmaceuticals[].
Pyrogallol is a toxic, bitter, lustrous, white crystalline organic compound used as a photographic developer, and as an absorbent for oxygen in gas analysis[].

A copious transparent gum exudes in large globular tears from the trunk. It is used as an incense and cosmetic[].

The heartwood is dark brown, beautifully variegated with streaks of darker colour; it is clearly demarcated from the reddish-white sapwood. The texture is coarse; the grain fairly straight. The wood is hard, though its durability seems quite variable. The wood is an excellent timber, it is used for a range of purposes including house building, furniture, cabinet making, tool handles, and for underwater purposes[, , , ]. When quarter-sawn, the wood yields attractive veneer[].
The wood is an excellent fuel wood and provides an excellent charcoal[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - can be sown in containers or direct in situ. Germination rates are 5 - 50%[]. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle, placing them in deep containers to accommodate the rapidly developing taproot[].
The seed will usually store for at least two years when kept cool[].
Cuttings.
Grafting.

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