Common Name:

General Information

Gluta travancorica is an evergreen tree growing 30 - 36 metres tall[]. The straight bole can be 140cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber. Said to be one of the finest and most beautiful woods of India, it should be encouraged in native forests and perhaps even planted[].
The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

Brief contact with the plant can cause allergies and chemical irritation of the skin[].
The sap can cause dermatitis[]. A resinous exudate from the wood can cause severe skin irritation[].
The smoke of the burning wood can cause severe irritation, particularly to the eyes[].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - India.

Habitat

Dense, moist forests at elevations up to 1,200 metres[]. A canopy tree in wet, evergreen forests at elevations from 600 - 1,400 metres.

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	33.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Gluta travancorica is a plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,400 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 26 - 29°c, but can tolerate 18 - 34°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 3,000 - 4,000mm, but tolerates 2,000 - 5,000mm[].
Older plants prefer sunny conditions but they are shade tolerant when young[]. Plants are adapted to moist conditions[]. Prefers a pH in the range 4.5 - 6, tolerating 4 - 7[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is dark red; the sapwood light reddish-grey. The wood is very hard and close-grained, beautifully mottled with dark and light, i.e. black and orange, streaks[]. With its splendid colour and markings, this is one of the finest and most beautiful woods of India. It can be used for making furniture[].
A resinous exudate from the wood can cause severe skin irritation[]. The poisonous constituent of the resinous sap is volatile and will gradually disappear. For this reason, the timber of this tree must be dried and exposed for several years as it is otherwise dangerous to handle. Lacquered articles or furniture made from the dried timber may still be toxic to persons who are especially susceptible[].

Propagation

Seed -

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