Pterospermum acerifolium
(L.) Willd.
Malvaceae
Common Name: Maple-Leaved Bayur
Tree growing at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, FL USA
Photograph by: David Stang
General Information
Pterospermum acerifolium is an evergreen tree with an irregular crown with thick, steeply ascending branches; it can grow up to 30 metres tall. The bole is often crooked[
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.
].
The tree is gathered from the wild for a range of local uses - medicinal, timber, plate substitutes etc. It is planted as a roadside tree or garden ornamental, being valued especially for its beautiful, fragrant blooms; large leaves; and the shade it provides[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
287- Title
- Flora of Pakistan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.efloras.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
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.
,
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
287- Title
- Flora of Pakistan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.efloras.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource.
Range
E. Asia - southern China, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos.
Habitat
Forested slopes at elevations of 1,200 - 1,700 metres in southern China[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. Swamp forests in India[
146- Title
- A Manual of Indian Timbers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gamble. J. S.
- Publisher
- Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. Along riverbanks and in damp valleys in humid lowland forests and swamps[
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.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 30.00 m |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of the moist tropics. It is able to withstand occasional light frosts, though these kill the growing tips and can cause the plant to become multi-stemmed[
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.
].
Grows best in a sunny position[
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.
,
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.
]. Succeeds in a range of soils[
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.
], preferring one that is fertile and moisture-retentive[
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.
].
A fast-growing plant[
146- Title
- A Manual of Indian Timbers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gamble. J. S.
- Publisher
- Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
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.
].
The tree suckers freely from its wide surface roots[
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.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The indumentum from the lower side of leaf is said to be used to prevent bleeding from wounds[
146- Title
- A Manual of Indian Timbers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gamble. J. S.
- Publisher
- Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
287- Title
- Flora of Pakistan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.efloras.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource.
].
A good tonic is prepared from the flowers which is also a cure for inflammation, ulcers, tumours, blood troubles and leprosy[
287- Title
- Flora of Pakistan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.efloras.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource.
].
The bark and leaves are used in small pox[
287- Title
- Flora of Pakistan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.efloras.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource.
].
Other Uses
The flowers, kept among clothes, impart a pleasant perfume and keep away insects[
287- Title
- Flora of Pakistan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.efloras.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource.
].
The down obtained from the leaves is used as a tinder[
146- Title
- A Manual of Indian Timbers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gamble. J. S.
- Publisher
- Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
287- Title
- Flora of Pakistan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.efloras.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource.
].
The large leaves have been used as plates and for wrapping up items such as tobacco leaves[
146- Title
- A Manual of Indian Timbers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gamble. J. S.
- Publisher
- Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
].
The heartwood is red; the sapwood white. The wood is soft to moderately hard[
146- Title
- A Manual of Indian Timbers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gamble. J. S.
- Publisher
- Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. It is sometimes used for planking and interior construction[
146- Title
- A Manual of Indian Timbers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gamble. J. S.
- Publisher
- Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
944- Title
- Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany) No. 23
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- The Forest Herbarium; Bangkok.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0495-3843
- Description
- A botanical journal, publishing papers on taxonomy (especially vascular plants), nomenclature, phylogeny, systematics, plant geography, and floristics; also morphology, palynology, cytotaxonomy, chemotaxonomy, anatomy and other relevant disciplines.
].
The wood is used for fuel[
944- Title
- Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany) No. 23
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- The Forest Herbarium; Bangkok.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0495-3843
- Description
- A botanical journal, publishing papers on taxonomy (especially vascular plants), nomenclature, phylogeny, systematics, plant geography, and floristics; also morphology, palynology, cytotaxonomy, chemotaxonomy, anatomy and other relevant disciplines.
].
Propagation
Seed -
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel[
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.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
