Pterocarpus indicus
(Fabaceae)
Names and origins
Characters
Ecology
Uses
Conservation
This field has a content
Forest type (costal, hill, lowland, peatswamp, mountains, kerangas...)
Forest Layer (emergent, canopy, understory, forest floor, liana...)
Pioneer tree, late sucessional tree
Symbiotic microorganisms (Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, ectomycorrhiza)
Seed dispersal by animals
Pollination by birds, bats, bees, beetles
Symbiosis with animals, ants
Flowering habits and frequency
Seed germination conditions and time
<p>Angsana is typically located along the edges and open spaces of evergreen forests, flourishing at altitudes of up to 600 meters. This tree thrives in moist sandy loam or clay loam soils and demonstrates resilience in compacted clayey soils often found in urban environments. It is pollinated by insects and can be propagated through seeds or stem cuttings. For optimal germination, seeds should be extracted from the indehiscent fruit pods prior to sowing.</p> <p>During the 1960s, Angsana was extensively utilized as an instant tree in Singapore, esteemed for its rapid growth and ability to propagate from large branch cuttings, making it a favored shade provider. Unfortunately, many Angsana trees in Singapore suffered significantly from a fungal epidemic known as Fusarium Wilt in the 1980s. Additionally, they are susceptible to attacks by leaf-mining caterpillars from the moth Neolithocolletis pentadesma, which can lead to unsightly leaves and, in severe cases, complete defoliation. The application of systemic soil drenches or trunk-injection pesticides may prove effective in controlling these caterpillar infestations.</p>