Common Name: Indian Kino

General Information

Pterocarpus marsupium is a large deciduous tree with spreading branches reaching a height of up to 33 metres[]. When growing under favourable conditions, the tree can produce a straight bole[].
A multi-purpose tree producing a very valuable timber, it is often planted by the Indian forestry[]. 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[]. The tree also has a wide range of other uses - it is commonly harvested for medicinal purposes as well as providing food and a range of commodities. It is grown as a shade tree in coffee plantations and is often cultivated as a multipurpose tree in home gardens and as component of agroforestry systems in India and Sri Lanka [].
Pterocarpus marsupium is heavily exploited for its timber, resin and medicinal bark[]. Its population is declining, especially in Sri Lanka and total populations in India are likely to be small. The tree almost reaches the criteria for 'Vulnerable', but is currently listed as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka.

Habitat

Mainly found in moist or dry, mixed deciduous forests in hilly areas; at elevations up to 1,200 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant found mainly of lowland tropical areas, found at elevations from 200 - 500 metres, but exceptionally to 1,200 metres[]. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature falls within the range 22 - 34°c, but can tolerate 4 - 47°c[]. It is found in areas where there is a distinct dry season, preferring a mean annual rainfall of 1,000 - 1,500mm, but tolerating 750 - 2,000mm[].
Requires a sunny position in a well drained soil[]. Grows best in a deep, rich, light to medium soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, but tolerates 5.5 - 7.5[].
This species is one of several that supply a red resin from their stem. This resin, often known as 'Dragon's Blood' is often used as an external application to treat a range of skin problems and injuries[]. Dragon's Blood can be obtained from several species in this genus, as well as from three other distinct genera - Dracaena species, Croton species and Daemonorops species[]
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

Flowers[].

Seeds[].

Medicinal

Indian kino is often used in herbal medicine in India, the leaves, bark and most commonly the resin being used. A strongly astringent herb, it is also alterative[, ]. In addition, various trials have shown a hypoglycaemic effect from an aqueous extract of the heartwood[].

The resin obtained from wounds in the bark is astringent[]. It contains about 75% kinotannic acid[, ]. It is used in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea and the irritation caused by gastric infection and colitis[].
Although it has an unpleasant flavour, it makes a good mouthwash and gargle[]. It is commonly used in cases of toothache and also as a douche to treat vaginal discharge[, ].
The resin is applied topically in the treatment of skin conditions[].

The bark is used, either as a powder or in decoction, in the treatment of diarrhoea[]. A decoction of the bark is very useful for diabetic patients[].
The heartwood is considered to be anthelmintic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and astringent. It is used to treat a range of complaints[].

The bruised leaves are used as a poultice on boils, sores and skin diseases[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

Grown as shade tree for coffee plantations, and often cultivated as a multipurpose tree in home gardens and as component of agroforestry systems in India and Sri Lanka[]. It provides a good bulk of leaves for green manure and also fixes atmospheric nitrogen[].
The tree can also be used as a pioneer for revegetating the land and improving the soil[].

Other Uses

The tree yields a red gum known as 'kino'. It is obtained from wounds made in the bark - the red liquid which exudes copiously from the wound quickly hardens upon exposure to the air. The gum, which contains 75% kinotannic acid, has medicinal uses and is also used as a source of tannins and for dyeing[, ].
The heartwood, which is saturated with the gum, may be used to give a yellow dye.[].

Extracts of the wood and bark are used as skin and hair conditioners in commercial cosmetic preparations[].
An extractsof the leaves is used as a skin conditioner in commercial cosmetic preparations[].

The heartwood is yellowish brown with darker streaks[]. The wood is strong, tough, very hard, durable, fine-grained, takes a fine polish and seasons well[, , ]. A good quality wood, it is used for various purposes including musical instruments, door and window frames, posts, agricultural implements, boat building, carts, railway carriages, railway ties etc[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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