Pterospermum diversifolium

Blume

Malvaceae Edible: ? 57 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A tree. It grows 20 m tall. The trunk is 50 cm across. The flowers are large and occur singly. They are white and in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a 5 angled woody capsule.

Medicinal Uses

The bark and flowers are charred and combined with the glands of Mallotus philippinensis in the treatment ofsmallpox in order to cause suppuration.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. In Thailand it grows between 50-800 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Andamans, Asia, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam,

Other Uses

The fibrous bark is sometimes used to make rope and for tying purposes. However, it has a low tensile strength of 263 kilos per square centimeter, which wetting did not affect.and so is not commonly used. for rope making. The colour of the inner bark is pinkish cinnamon. The bark is cut into small pieces and boiled to make a dye that is used to colour and strengthen cloth, fish nets, ropes etc. The bark probably contains tannins and therefore acts in part as a preservative. The heartwood is a dull purplish brown, or reddish brown, fading on exposure to a light brown; it is not sharply distinguished from the somewhat paler sapwood. The texture is fine and smooth; the grain straight or slightly crossed; there are distinct ripple marks on all longitudinal sections in most specimens. The wood is moderately hard and rather tough; moderately heavy to heavy; not very durable when exposed to the elements, but somewhat resistant to beetles. It seasons well and is easy to work. From the colour, texture, and presence of ripple marks on the wood, it is easily mistaken for lanutan (Bombycidendron spp). It is used for posts (placed above stumps), beams, joists, rafters, flooring, sheathing, ceilings, furniture, cabinetwork, household implements, combs. If impregnated with preservative, it would make good ties and paving blocks. The wood is used for fuel.