Common Name: Desert Teak

General Information

Tecomella undulata is a deciduous to nearly evergreen large shrub or small tree, usually growing around 2.5 - 10 metres tall but occasionally reaching 15 metres[]. In good growing conditions the tree can develop into a rather handsome specimen with a rounded, rather open crown atop a clear bole up to 450cm high and 80cm in diameter[].
Desert teak is a multipurpose plant valued for its various uses in agroforestry and traditional medicine, and, in particular, as a source of fuel wood and timber. It is a common ingredient of various polyherbal often sold in local markets. The plant is recognised as one of the most useful trees of the arid zone and is the main source of timber amongst the tree species of the desert regions of Rajasthan[]. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its showy flowers[, ].
Tecomella undulata has experienced severe ongoing population declines, largely attributable to overexploitation, but exacerbated by poor regeneration, sluggish growth, habitat loss, climate change, and vulnerability to pests and grazing activities.The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2021)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southwest Asia - eastern Oman, southwest Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, western India

Habitat

Arid areas, growing on flat and undulating land and thriving on stabilized sand dunes; at elevations up to 1,300 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Tecomella undulata has a large distribution across arid and semi-arid regions of the warm temperate to tropical zones, ranging from Oman to northwest India. The species thrives on stabilised sand dunes and is tolerant of extreme
high and low temperature, and low rainfall[].
Requires a sunny position. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
The plant responds well to coppicing[].
The plant is very tolerant of fire[].
This species is the state flower of Rajasthan[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Tecomella undulata has long been used in ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of a wide range of conditions and is a component of several polyherbal formulations[].

The bark is cardiotonic, cholagogue, relaxant[]. The powdered stem bark is prescribed as a decoction, and as an extract in clarified butter, for the treatment of a range of conditions including jaundice, enlarged spleen, anaemia, intestinal worms and urinary disorders. It is also used to treat piles, anorexia, flatulence, tumours, leucorrhoea, hepatitis, eczema, gonorrhoea and syphilis[, ]. The bark powder is taken with hot milk to induce abortion[]. A decoction of the bark is used to make a cooling drink[].

The stem and powdered bark are also used as components of many other ayurvedic preparations, including Rohitakarista, prescribed for use against liver and spleen diseases, oedema, anaemia and abdominal complaints[].

The pulp of the roots is used with rice water to treat leucorrhoea[].

The plant (part not specified) is used in the treatment of allergies, syphilis, and old wounds[]. The plant has also been reported in the treatment of snake bite, cholera, pain, epilepsy, cancer, malaria and conjunctivitis[, ].

The seeds are used in the treatment of sores, haemorrhoids and abscesses[, ]. They are crushed, combined with a leaf extract of a Pinus species, and taken to treat haemorrhoids[].

The flowers are used to make a tea to improve fertility in women[]. The flowers are also used for treating hepatitis and gynaecological troubles[]. They are soaked in water and the extract is drunk in order to reduce thirst[].

A paste made from the leaves is administered externally to combat migraines[].

The species is a component of a patented polyherbal composition of nine plants for treatment of immuno-compromised conditions, including HIV/AIDS[, ].

Contemporary research has demonstrated that parts of the plant exhibit antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-AIDS, anti-acarid, antinociceptive, anti-pyretic, anti-obesity and anti-lipidimic properties[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant plays an important role in ecology. It acts as a soil-binding tree by spreading a network of lateral roots on the top surface of the soil. It acts as a windbreak and helps in stabilizing shifting sand dunes. It is considered as the home of birds and provides shelter for other desert wildlife[, ].
It is also grown in shelterbelt plantations and has been explored as biofertiliser owing to the beneficial effects its rhizosphere has on the surrounding soil[].
A useful species for afforesting dry tracts[].it is also effective in soil remediation and has been used to improve soils contaminated with chromium and crude petroleum oil, as well as in the rehabilitation of lignite mine backfills[].

Other Uses

The stem has been used in the biosorptive removal of inorganic arsenic and fluoride from aqueous medium, and adsorbents derived from the plant have been used for the removal of dyes like direct blue and orange II. It has also been used in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles[].

The bark contains tannins[].

The heartwood is dark greyish-brown, often mottled with white[]. The wood is close and fine-grained, strong, hard, tough and durable. It takes a fine finish[, ]. The timber prized as equal to Teak. It is soft, durable and takes a beautiful polish. It is highly prized for making engraved furniture, agricultural implements, toys and carvings[, ]
The wood is excellent for firewood and charcoal[, ].

Propagation

Seed - easy[].
Cuttings root easily[].

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