Hopea odorata

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Hopea odorata
Leaves of Hopea odorata.jpg
Leaves of Hopea odorata
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Genus: Hopea
Species:
H. odorata
Binomial name
Hopea odorata
Synonyms [2]
List
    • Hopea vastaWall. nom. inval.
    • Hopea wightianaMiq. ex Dyer nom. inval.

Hopea odorata is a species of tree in the plant family Dipterocarpaceae. It is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. [1]

Contents

Description

H. odorata is a large tree reaching up to 45 m (150 ft) in height with the base of the trunk reaching a diameter of 4.5 m (15 ft). It grows in forests, preferably near rivers, at elevations to 600 m (2,000 ft). In places such as West Bengal, the Andaman Islands and southern Vietnam it is often planted as a shade tree. [3] Valued for its wood, which shows resistance to termites, it is a threatened species in its natural habitat. [1]

Traditions

In Thailand, where it is known as ta-khian (Thai : ตะเคียน), this tree is believed to be inhabited by a certain tree spirit known as Lady Ta-khian (Thai : นางตะเคียน), belonging to a type of ghosts related to trees known generically as Nang Mai (นางไม้). [4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ly, V.; Newman, M.F.; Khou, E.; Barstow, M.; Hoang, V.S.; Nanthavong, K.; Pooma, R. (2017). "Hopea odorata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T32305A2813234. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T32305A2813234.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species" . Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  3. AgroForestryTree Database - Species information
  4. Spirits