Common Name:

General Information

Dalbergia cochinchinensis is a rather slow-growing, large evergreen tree with a spherical, profusely branched crown; it can grow 25 - 30 metres tall[]. The bole is up to 60cm in diameter, with exceptional specimens to 120cm[].
The tree yields a highly prized, very attractive, aromatic wood known as 'rosewood'. It is commonly exploited commercially from the wild. This is one of 33 species named as being a suitable Hongmu (red wood) timber, used for producing high quality Chinese furniture following traditions from the Ming and Quing dynasty, which makes it a particularly valuable wood[]
Because of over-exploitation of this tree for its timber, coupled with habitat destruction, it is listed as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2009)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam.

Habitat

Open semi-deciduous forests[]. Open and semi-deciduous forests, occasionally in pure stands. Mainly concentrated at elevations of 400 - 500 metres. Preferring deep sandy clay soil and calcareous soil[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of tropical lowland forests, where it is found at elevations up to 400 metres. It grows in areas with a uniform rainfall in the range 1,200 - 1,650 mm per year, with a mean annual temperature of 20 - 32°c and an absolute minimum temperature of 10°c[].
Older plants require a position in full sun, whilst younger plants are shade tolerant. Succeeds in most soil conditions[]. Prefers deep sandy clay soils and calcareous soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Plants regenerate well by coppicing[].
The bad stem form and a tendency to produce buttresses is a problem and further research on improvement and management is needed[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A nitrogen fixing species, it is suitable for use in agroforestry and for soil improvement[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is red or almost black with a fine texture; it is distinctly demarcated from the gray sapwood[, ]. The texture is uniform and fine. The wood is heavy, very hard and durable, easy to work and resistant to insects[, , , ]. An attractive wood, the distinctive heartwood makes beautiful patterns when cut, and the cut wood releases a rose-like fragrance[, , ]. It is used to make high quality furniture, carvings and handicrafts, musical instruments and sewing machines[, ].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].
The seeds are orthodox and store well in a dry place[].
Air layering.
Softwood cuttings of many species, especially if taken from younger plants, will root in a well-drained, sandy medium in a closed case with bottom heat[].
Grafting.

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