1454

3: Dye and tannin-producing plants

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.

COMBRETACEAE

Terminalia berryi Wight & Arn., Terminalia glabra (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.

Thailand: rok faa khaao (Bangkok).

Native to India and Sri Lanka. Sometimes planted outside these regions, e.g. in Thailand and Indonesia (Java).

In India the bark is locally used for tanning hides into leather. The wood is used for construction work. Terminalia arjuna is planted as a shade tree, especially in coffee plantations. The bark is used medicinally.

A large tree, usually up to 30 m tall, but sometimes up to 60 m, with a trunk diameter up to 2(—2.5) m; outer bark flaking off in pieces, inner bark whitish, exuding red resin; timber greyish-brown with dark streaks, hard and heavy. The bark contains 20—24% tannin and a great amount of calcium carbonate. The tannin produces a superior light brown leather. When the bark is carefully removed without damaging the cambium, it will grow again. Fruits also contain tannin and may be used in tanning. This species grows naturally on banks of streams and rivers, and is cultivated in Java at lower altitudes.

[7] Backer, C.A. & Bakhuizen van den Brink, R.C., 1963–1968. Flora of Java. 3 Volumes. Noordhoff, Groningen, the Netherlands.
[12] Burkill, I.H., 1966. A dictionary of the economic products of the Malay Peninsula. 2nd ed. 2 Volumes. Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2444 pp.
[24] Howes, F.N., 1962. Tanning materials. In: von Wiesner, J. (Editor): Die Rohstoffe des Pflanzenreichs. 5th ed. J. Cramer, Weinheim, Germany. pp. 163–276.
[31] Mansfeld, R. & Schultze-Motel, J., 1986. Verzeichnis landwirtschaftlicher und gärtnerischer Kulturpflanzen. 2nd ed. 4 Volumes. Springer Verlag, Berlin. 1998 pp.
[32] Matthew, K.M., 1983. The flora of the Tamilnadu Carnatic. Vol. 2 (2 parts). The Rapinat Herbarium. Diocesan Press, Madras, India. 2154 pp.
[45] The wealth of India. Raw materials (various editors), 1948–1976. 11 Volumes. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
[46] Trimen, H., et al. (Editors), 1893–1931. A hand-book to the Flora of Ceylon. 6 Volumes. Dulau & Co., London.
[51] Watt, G. 1908. The commercial products of India. London. 1189 pp.

J. Jukema, N. Wulijarni-Soetjipto, R.H.M.J. Lemmens & J.W. Hildebrand

Jukema, J., Wulijarni-Soetjipto, N., Lemmens, R.H.M.J. & Hildebrand, J.W., 1991. Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.. In: Lemmens, R.H.M.J. and Wulijarni-Soetjipto, N. (Editors): Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 3: Dye and tannin-producing plants. PROSEA Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. Database record: prota4u.org/prosea