Common Name: Keranji

General Information

Keranji is an evergreen tree growing up to 40 metres tall, but usually much smaller. The bole can be up to 100cm in diameter[].
The tree produces a popular fruit and a valuable timber. The edible fruits are harvested from the wild and sold in local markets[]. The plant is also cultivated to a limited extent, especially for local consumption[]. It is believed to have some prospects for commercial cultivation in Thailand[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - peninsular Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

A canopy tree of mainly lowland primary forests, found on well-drained flat country and hills, sometimes in swampy areas including peat swamp, at elevations up to 1,150 metres[, , ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of hot, wet, tropical climates[]. The tree is well adapted to tropical regions, especially in monsoon areas where the soil is well drained[].
The tree seems to tolerate good as well as poor soil[]. The tree tends to be fairly shade tolerant, especially when smaller[].
Trees can be slow coming into bearing, with local farmers saying 15 - 17 years[]. One tree is known to have taken over 40 years, whilst two others that were planted in the nitrogen-rich soil near an outdoor toilet commenced bearing when only 5 years old[].
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

Fruit - raw. The small dull velvety-black fruits have a delicious subacid flavour somewhat reminiscent of tamarind but not so acid[]. Considered a delicacy in some areas[, ]. The fruits have thin brittle shells which preserve the desiccative pulp for several months[]. The fruit is about 25mm long[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The dark yellow-brown to chestnut-brown wood is very hard and compact, very heavy, and strong[, ]. It is highly valued for house construction and making boats[, ]. It is also often used to make rulers[].

This tree is one of several species yielding a timber known as 'Keranji'[]. The general description of this wood is as follows:-
The heartwood is golden-brown or red-brown; clearly demarcated from the white to yellowish sapwood. The texture is fine to moderately coarse and even; the grain interlocked or wavy[]. The wood is heavy; moderately durable but the sapwood is susceptible to insect and fungal attack. It can be easy to very difficult to resaw and cross-cut depending on the species; planing is easy to slightly difficult, and the planed surface is moderately smooth; nailing property is good[]. The wood is suitable for heavy construction, flooring, handles for striking tools and batons[].

Propagation

Seed -

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