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Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk.
| Family Name: | Thymelaeaceae |
| Synonyms: | Aquilaria grandiflora |
| Common Name: | Malayan Eaglewood Tree, Agarwood, Karas, Kayu Gaharu, Kekaras, Tengkaras |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m)) |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to 40 m tall with an irregular crown. |
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| Trunk | Its smooth trunk has dark to pale grey, peeling outer bark and cream-white inner bark. |
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have thinly leathery leaf blades that are oval-oblong to oblong-lance-shaped, and 6–12 by 1.9–5.5 cm, with fine, parallel veinlets, and long tips. |
| Flowers | Its fragrant flowers are green or dirty-yellow, 5–6 mm long, and found in shortly-stalked, 2.5 cm-long clusters of up to 10 together. |
| Fruit | Its green fruits are flattened egg-shaped, rather woody, and 2.5–4 by 2.5 cm. Its pear-shaped seeds are covered with orange-brown hairs, and up to 10 by 6 mm, with one of its ends attached to the fruit by a twisted, stalk-like appendage. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland primary and secondary forests, and on hills and ridges, up to 750 m altitude. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Latin Aquilaria, eagle, after its common name in Malacca ― eagle wood; Latin malaccensis, of Malacca, referring to one locality in the natural distribution of this species. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Scientific Evidence of Medicinal Properties Based on research on the effect of Aquilaria malaccensis on animals, it has these medicinal properties: anti-inflammatory <2> Traditional Medicinal Uses In Asia countries like India, China, Japan, Taiwan, the plant is used in traditional medicine (Ayurveda and East Asian Medicine) to treat a wide variety of conditions, such as pain, asthma, vomitting, improve circulation, rheumatism and jaundice <1>. It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. Timber & Products: Undiseased trees produce very light wood known as karas. It is used for boxes, light indoor construction, and veneer. Others: The old and diseased tree produces a fragrant wood known as kayu gaharu, hence its common Malay name. This wood is used as insect repellent, incense for ceremonial purposes, and in joss-sticks and perfumery. The inner bark is durable and strong, and made into clothes, ropes, and writing materials. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Roadside Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate to Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
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Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
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References
| References | <1> Barden, A., Anak, N.A., Mulliken, T. & Song, M., et. al. (2000). Heart of the matter: Agarwood use and trade and CITES implementation for Aquilaria malaccensis. IUCN: 1-52. <2> Yadav, D.K., Mudgal, V., Agrawal, J., Mayura, A.K., Bawankule, D.U., Chanotiya, C.S., Khan, F. & Thul, S.T. (2013). Molecular docking and ADME studies of natural compounds of Agarwood oil for topical anti-inflammatory activity. Current Computer-Aided Drug Design 9: 360-370. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1425 |
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| Species ID | 2718 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |