Dipterocarpus

Dipterocarpus
Dipterocarpus bourdillonii sapling from Peravoor
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Genus: Dipterocarpus
Species

See text

Dipterocarpus is a genus of flowering plants and the type genus of family Dipterocarpaceae.

Dipterocarpus are the third largest and most diverse genus among Dipterocarpaceae. They are well known for timber, but less acknowledged for its use in traditional herbal medicine.[1] The genus has about 70 species,[2] occurring in Southeast Asia. It is an important component of dipterocarp forests. Its generic name comes from Greek and means "two-winged fruits".

The greatest diversity of Dipterocarpus species occurs on Borneo, with many endemic to the island.

Uses

The genus is of considerable importance as timber trees, sold under the trade name Keruing, although not as important as Shorea species. Dipterocarpus turbinatus, Gurjan, is a major commercial timber species found in the Andaman islands. Gurjan wood is very important for making plywood.

Selected species

Species include:[2]

References

  1. ↑ Christophe Wiart (2006). Medicinal Plants of the Asia-Pacific: Drugs for the Future?. World Scientific.
  2. 1 2 "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".


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