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Useful Tropical Plants

Dialium indum

L.

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Dialium angustisepalum Ridl.

Dialium javanicum Burm.f.

Dialium laurinum Baker

Dialium marginatum de Wit

Dialium patens Baker

Dialium turbinatum de Wit

Common Name: Keranji

Dialium indum
Fruits
Photograph by: Ayie7791
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Dialium indum Dialium indum Dialium indum

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[
451
Title
Flora Malesiana Series 1
Publication
 
Author
Various
Website
http://www.archive.org
Publisher
Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
].
The tree produces a popular fruit and a valuable timber. The edible fruits are harvested from the wild and sold in local markets[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. The plant is also cultivated to a limited extent, especially for local consumption[
306
Title
Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. RAP Publication 2001/26
Publication
 
Author
Suranant Subhadrabandhu
Website
http://www.fao.org/3/a-ab777e.pdf
Publisher
F. A. O., The United Nations, Bangkok.
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
A detailed report on 35 fruit species that could have potential for increased production in Thailand. The report can be downloadd as a PDF from the internet.
]. It is believed to have some prospects for commercial cultivation in Thailand[
306
Title
Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. RAP Publication 2001/26
Publication
 
Author
Suranant Subhadrabandhu
Website
http://www.fao.org/3/a-ab777e.pdf
Publisher
F. A. O., The United Nations, Bangkok.
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
A detailed report on 35 fruit species that could have potential for increased production in Thailand. The report can be downloadd as a PDF from the internet.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

451
Title
Flora Malesiana Series 1
Publication
 
Author
Various
Website
http://www.archive.org
Publisher
Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet

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[
307
Title
Tropical and Subtropical Trees - A Worldwide Encyclopaedic Guide.
Publication
 
Author
Barwick. M.
Publisher
Thames & Hudson, London
Year
2004
ISBN
0-500-51181-0
Description
A superb book, very concise and well written, giving a wealth of information on 400 or more species including descriptions, habitat, cultivation details and plant uses. A wealth of colour photographs bring each plant vividly to life.
,
451
Title
Flora Malesiana Series 1
Publication
 
Author
Various
Website
http://www.archive.org
Publisher
Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
,
653
Title
Plants of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.asianplant.net/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Excellent site with brief information on the plant, its range, habitat and uses, plus phots of specimens, close-ops of flowers and leaves etc,
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height20.00 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of hot, wet, tropical climates[
335
Title
Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
Publication
 
Author
Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
Publisher
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
]. The tree is well adapted to tropical regions, especially in monsoon areas where the soil is well drained[
306
Title
Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. RAP Publication 2001/26
Publication
 
Author
Suranant Subhadrabandhu
Website
http://www.fao.org/3/a-ab777e.pdf
Publisher
F. A. O., The United Nations, Bangkok.
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
A detailed report on 35 fruit species that could have potential for increased production in Thailand. The report can be downloadd as a PDF from the internet.
].
The tree seems to tolerate good as well as poor soil[
306
Title
Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. RAP Publication 2001/26
Publication
 
Author
Suranant Subhadrabandhu
Website
http://www.fao.org/3/a-ab777e.pdf
Publisher
F. A. O., The United Nations, Bangkok.
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
A detailed report on 35 fruit species that could have potential for increased production in Thailand. The report can be downloadd as a PDF from the internet.
]. The tree tends to be fairly shade tolerant, especially when smaller[
306
Title
Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. RAP Publication 2001/26
Publication
 
Author
Suranant Subhadrabandhu
Website
http://www.fao.org/3/a-ab777e.pdf
Publisher
F. A. O., The United Nations, Bangkok.
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
A detailed report on 35 fruit species that could have potential for increased production in Thailand. The report can be downloadd as a PDF from the internet.
].
Trees can be slow coming into bearing, with local farmers saying 15 - 17 years[
306
Title
Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. RAP Publication 2001/26
Publication
 
Author
Suranant Subhadrabandhu
Website
http://www.fao.org/3/a-ab777e.pdf
Publisher
F. A. O., The United Nations, Bangkok.
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
A detailed report on 35 fruit species that could have potential for increased production in Thailand. The report can be downloadd as a PDF from the internet.
]. 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[
306
Title
Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. RAP Publication 2001/26
Publication
 
Author
Suranant Subhadrabandhu
Website
http://www.fao.org/3/a-ab777e.pdf
Publisher
F. A. O., The United Nations, Bangkok.
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
A detailed report on 35 fruit species that could have potential for increased production in Thailand. The report can be downloadd as a PDF from the internet.
].
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[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. The small dull velvety-black fruits have a delicious subacid flavour somewhat reminiscent of tamarind but not so acid[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. Considered a delicacy in some areas[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. The fruits have thin brittle shells which preserve the desiccative pulp for several months[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. The fruit is about 25mm long[
335
Title
Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
Publication
 
Author
Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
Publisher
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The dark yellow-brown to chestnut-brown wood is very hard and compact, very heavy, and strong[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
306
Title
Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. RAP Publication 2001/26
Publication
 
Author
Suranant Subhadrabandhu
Website
http://www.fao.org/3/a-ab777e.pdf
Publisher
F. A. O., The United Nations, Bangkok.
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
A detailed report on 35 fruit species that could have potential for increased production in Thailand. The report can be downloadd as a PDF from the internet.
]. It is highly valued for house construction and making boats[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
306
Title
Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. RAP Publication 2001/26
Publication
 
Author
Suranant Subhadrabandhu
Website
http://www.fao.org/3/a-ab777e.pdf
Publisher
F. A. O., The United Nations, Bangkok.
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
A detailed report on 35 fruit species that could have potential for increased production in Thailand. The report can be downloadd as a PDF from the internet.
]. It is also often used to make rulers[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].

This tree is one of several species yielding a timber known as 'Keranji'[
661
Title
Timber Notes - Heavy Hardwoods II (Kekatong, Keranji, Merbau, Penaga, Resak)
Publication
Timber Technology Bulletin No. 12
Author
Choo K.T.; Lim S.C.; Gan K.S.
Website
http://info.frim.gov.my/cfdocs/infocenter/booksonline/index.cfm?menu=ttb
Publisher
Forest Research Institute; Malaysia
Year
1999
ISBN
139-258
Description
The properties of several Maleysian timbers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. 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[
661
Title
Timber Notes - Heavy Hardwoods II (Kekatong, Keranji, Merbau, Penaga, Resak)
Publication
Timber Technology Bulletin No. 12
Author
Choo K.T.; Lim S.C.; Gan K.S.
Website
http://info.frim.gov.my/cfdocs/infocenter/booksonline/index.cfm?menu=ttb
Publisher
Forest Research Institute; Malaysia
Year
1999
ISBN
139-258
Description
The properties of several Maleysian timbers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. 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[
661
Title
Timber Notes - Heavy Hardwoods II (Kekatong, Keranji, Merbau, Penaga, Resak)
Publication
Timber Technology Bulletin No. 12
Author
Choo K.T.; Lim S.C.; Gan K.S.
Website
http://info.frim.gov.my/cfdocs/infocenter/booksonline/index.cfm?menu=ttb
Publisher
Forest Research Institute; Malaysia
Year
1999
ISBN
139-258
Description
The properties of several Maleysian timbers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The wood is suitable for heavy construction, flooring, handles for striking tools and batons[
661
Title
Timber Notes - Heavy Hardwoods II (Kekatong, Keranji, Merbau, Penaga, Resak)
Publication
Timber Technology Bulletin No. 12
Author
Choo K.T.; Lim S.C.; Gan K.S.
Website
http://info.frim.gov.my/cfdocs/infocenter/booksonline/index.cfm?menu=ttb
Publisher
Forest Research Institute; Malaysia
Year
1999
ISBN
139-258
Description
The properties of several Maleysian timbers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-03. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dialium+indum>

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