Common Name: Alexandrian Laurel

General Information

Alexandrian laurel is a slow-growing, medium-sized evergreen tree with a spreading crown; it usually grows up to 25 metres tall, occasionally to 35 metres. The bole is usually short and twisted or leaning; it can be up to 150cm in diameter. All parts of the plant contain a sticky yellowish latex[, , , ].
A multipurpose plant, it is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The oil from its seed is traded internationally as tamanu oil or foraha oil, but quantities involved are not known[]. The tree is planted in reforestation schemes; to provide shelter from the wind; and also as an ornamental and roadside tree, where it is valued for its deliciously scented white flowers that are reminiscent of orange blossom[, ].
Due to the level of exploitation, which is putting some pressure on wild stands, the tree has been classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

Toxic compounds may be present in mature fruits[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Coastal areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans from east Africa, through Asia to Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Habitat

Rocky and sandy sea shores, where it grows just above the high-tide mark[]. Sometimes, especially on islands, it is found inland on sandy soils at elevations up to 200 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Alexandrian laurel is a plant of semi-arid to moist tropical coastal areas, where it is found at elevations up to 200 metres[], though planted specimens have thrived inland at elevations as high as 1,200 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 28 - 35°c, but can tolerate 10 - 42°c[]. It can be killed by temperatures of -1°c or lower[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 4,000mm, but tolerates 750 - 5,000mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Plants are often found in pronouncedly xerophytic conditions due to the exposed situation, brackish groundwater and salt-laden winds[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 5 - 8[].
Under natural conditions in tropical Asia, seedlings reach a height of 40 - 50cm in 6 months after germination. Growth of young trees is discontinuous and branching is rhythmic. The bole and branches are orthotropic, although the orthotropy of the bole is weaker than in other Calophyllum species, often resulting in a procumbent bole, especially in trees growing on beaches. However, Calophyllum inophyllum is sometimes an erect tree of closed forest. Older trees show sympodial growth[].
Young trees start fruiting after about 10 years[]. They often flower and produce fruit all year round[]. The fruits are mainly dispersed by water and can often be found washed up on beaches[]. When the outer layer of the fruit has rotted away, fruits float easily and can be dispersed by sea currents[]. However, fruits are also dispersed by fruit bats.
A mature tree may yield 50 kg of dry fruits and 18 kg of seed oil[].
Trees are sensitive to fire[].

Edible Uses

The pulp of immature fruits is recorded as edible, but caution is needed as toxic compounds may be present in mature fruits[].

An oil obtained from the seed is edible after being refined[].

Medicinal

Alexandrian laurel is commonly used in traditional medicine in the various areas where it occurs. Many of these uses have been supported by modern research into the plant[].
Coumarins isolated from the leaves and seeds have been shown to be inhibitors of HIV type 1. They might also be valuable as cancer chemo-preventive agents[].
Seed extracts showed significant molluscicidal activity; the hydroxy-acid calophyllic acid was isolated as the active compound[]. The ether extract of the leaves showed piscicidal activity[].
The oil has cicatrizing properties, explaining its traditional and modern use in a wide range of skin problems[]. The oil has also shown anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial and insecticidal activity[]. It stimulates phagocytosis of cells of the reticulo-endothelial system and has protective activity on the vascular system[]. Clinical tests showed that the oil may reduce old scars[]. The refined oil, which is pale yellow, has strongly diminished medicinal properties[].
The bark is astringent and contains 11 - 19% tannins and is reportedly antiseptic and disinfectant[]. The oleoresin from the bark, which contains benzoic acid, shows cicatrizing properties[].

A root decoction is traditionally used to treat ulcers, boils and ophthalmia[]

The bark is used to treat orchitis[].

The latex is rubbed on the skin in the treatment of rheumatism and psoriasis[]. The latex and pounded bark are applied externally on wounds, ulcers and to treat phthisis, orchitis and lung affections, and are also used internally as a purgative, after childbirth and to treat gonorrhoea[].

The resin is used to treat wounds and insect bites[].

A leaf infusion is used to treat sore eyes, haemorrhoids and dysentery[]. Heated leaves are applied as a poultice to cuts, sores, ulcers, boils and skin rash[]. The leaves are used in inhalations to treat migraine and vertigo[]

The seed oil is applied externally as an analgesic against rheumatism and sciatica, and as a medication against swellings, ulcers, scabies, ringworm, boils and itch[].

The flowers are used as a heart tonic[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Planted in hedges and as a wind break[].
The tree is sometimes used in reforestation schemes[].

Other Uses

The bark contains around 15% tannin[].

Mature and dried seed contains 50 - 60%, occasionally up to 73%, of a bluish yellow to dark green viscous oil with a disagreeable flavour[]. The oil may contain up to 30% resinous materials[]. It is used for illumination while the purified oil can be used in soap production and as a carrier oil, skin moisturizer and hair oil in cosmetics[].
For seed oil extraction, the seeds are shelled. Initially the kernels contain little apparent oil, but after about a month the kernels turn chocolate brown and become sticky with oil. They are chopped, dried, pounded and then boiled. The oil is skimmed from the top of the boiling water[]. The seeds may also be crushed to a paste and the oil is then drained off[]. Industrially the oil is extracted by cold expression, and is not refined so as to conserve all medicinal properties[].
The fruit is crushed to yield an oil that is used to scent coconut oil and is applied to the hair to make it long and black[]. (Is this a distinct oil from that obtained from the seed?[].

The stones of the fruit are used as marbles[].

The sticky sap (latex?) is used for caulking canoes[].

The old, decayed fruits are skewered on coconut midribs and then burned as a traditional form of lighting[].

The mature fruit is burned as a mosquito repellent[].

The heartwood is pinkish to reddish brown; it is clearly demarcated from the 5 - 10cm wide band of pale sapwood. The grain is interlocked, spiral or wavy; the texture moderately coarse and uneven. The wood is medium-weight to moderately heavy; moderately hard; moderately durable, even under water, being resistant to dry wood borers and moderately resistant to fungi and termites. It is somewhat slow to season, with a high risk of distortion and a slight risk of checking; once dry it is stable in service. The wood is often rather difficult to saw, and sawn surfaces tend to be woolly; it is not easy to plane because of spiral or interlocked grain; filling is recommended to obtain a good finish; nailing and screwing are good, but pre-boring is required; gluing is correct for interior use. It is not recommended to use this timber for lengths over 3 metres because it is often bent. Throughout its area of distribution the wood is used for the construction of canoes and small boats, masts, keels, knees and pulley blocks. The wood is also used for construction, carpentry, flooring, stairs, furniture and cabinet work, cart-wheel hubs, vessels and musical instruments[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow in a shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Removal of the endocarp significantly reduces the germination period to about 22 days, it also increases the germination rate and improves seedling growth and development[].
Natural regeneration usually occurs near the mother tree and provides young plants that can be transplanted to other places.

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