Scientific Name : Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby and J. W. Grimes
Common Name : Batai Wood
Chinese Name : 南洋楹
Family : MIMOSACEAE
Local distribution status : Exotic species
| Origin | Native to Indonesia (Java, Sumatra, Moluccas and Irian Jaya), Malaysia (Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Papua New Guinea (Bougainville island and Bismarck Archipelago) and the Solomon Islands. |
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| Meanings of name | The generic name Falcataria means falcate, referring to its sickle-like leaflet shape. The specific epithet moluccana depicts its origin from the Moluccas. |
| Application |
Since the tree is fast-growing and the wood is relatively easy to chop, it is regarded as an ideal timber tree. The wood serves versatile functions, mostly treated as fuelwood or processed into pallets, packing boxes, chopsticks and musical instruments. The exceptionally extensive and compact crown renders the tree majestic character and notable shading effect. It is also competent to attenuate urban environmental problems such as heat island effect. In respect of its spectacular tree form but relatively fragile branches, it should be planted on wide open space with enough protection from wind to avert compromise to the safety of human property. |
| Invasiveness of Batai Wood | The tree prospects in sunny weather and dry soil due to its extensive roots. Since the tree can grow rampantly fast, it is always planted for revitalizing barren lands. In a sense, the tree also serves as a double-edged sword with the above characteristics. Batai Wood is notorious in Pacific Islands with its dramatic intrusion to the local environments. The tree equips nitrogen-fixing bacteria and is able to fix the unavailable nitrogen into plant-available status, which renders the tree outstanding compatibility beyond other native species in the islands. The extensive root system also flavours it from the competition when the resource availability is higher. The colossal tree crown blocks the sunlight and suppresses the growth of native seedlings. |
| Growing habit | Evergreen tree. |
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| Height | To 45 m. |
| Tree form | Umbrella |
| Stem | Bark light grey, smooth. Branchlets minutely pubescent, lenticellate. |
| Leaves | Bipinnately compound alternate, pinnae 6-20 pairs, pinnules 6-26 pairs, opposite, sessile, disk-shaped glands near the base of pinnules and pinnae. Blade papery, obliquely oblong, falcate, base obtuse, round or nearly cuneate, apex acute, midvein towards the upper blade, basal veins 2-3. |
| Flower | Hermaphroditic. Spikes axillary, solitary or forming a panicle. or paniculate. Flowers greenish yellow to cream, calyx broadly campanulate, stamens many. |
| Fruit | Legumes straight, flat, turning brown and dehiscent when ripe. |
| Flowering period | April to July in Hong Kong. |
Scientific name above is based on Hong Kong Herbarium website : https://herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=8854
Scientific names from other databases :
― Flora of China : Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby and J.W. Grimes
― Plants of the World Online : Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby and J.W. Grimes