AgroForestryTree Database
Shorea negrosensis
 Species identityEcology and distributionPropagation and managementFunctional usesPests and diseasesAdditional InfoBibliographyImages |
Species identity
TaxonomyCommon names
(Filipino) : malatabang
(Trade name) : red lauan
Botanic description
Shorea negrosensis is a large tree up to 50 m tall, with bole branchless for 20-30 m and a diameter up to 200 cm. The tree is prominently buttressed. Leaves ovate to elliptical, thinly leathery, 6.5-17 cm x 3-7.5 cm, with (8-) 11-15 pairs of secondary veins. Stamens about 48, anthers linear-oblong with short appendages, stylopodium indistinct. Fruit calyce lobes large up to 7 x 13 cm.
Ecology and distribution
Natural HabitatS. negrosensis is common and occurs gregariously in evergreen and seasonal dipterocarp forests at low altitudes.
Geographic distribution
Native : Philippines
Biophysical limitsAltitude: 0-1 000 m
Reproductive Biology
The pollinators of S. negrosensis are insects.
Propagation and management
Propagation methodsFor practical application, the best medium for S. negrosensis is sand or its mixture with ordinary garden soil.Functional uses
ProductsApiculture: The flowers are visited by insects for pollen. Timber: In the Philippines red lauan is a valuable export timber, in 1989 the export value of sawn timber was US $ 125 million. The bark is considered to have a great potential for use as building board. S. negrosensis yields a pulp with high over-all strength properties. The wood density is 420-805 kg/m³ at 15% moisture content. The timber is commonly used as a compression member in timber framed structures. Metham sodium and methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) are used in protecting and eliminating wood fungal decay. Tannin or dyestuff: S. negrosensis bark is a suitable source of extract for tanning soles, the bark contains 9-10% tannin. Medicine: It is reported that S. negrosensis wood extractives are tumour-inhibiting.Services
Erosion control: The tree is important in protecting watershed areas. Reclamation: S. negrosensis has potential in reforestation. Soil improver: Leaf litter of S. negrosensis on decay improves soil quality. Boundary or barrier or support: S. negrosensis provides wood used in making fencing material. Intercropping: The species is promising for agroforestry, in experiments S. negrosensis sawdust extracts did not show allelopathic effects on rice and trifoliate orange.
Bibliography
Garcia PR et al. 1983. Germination of narig (Vatica mangachapoi Blanco) and red lauan (Shorea negrosensis Foxw.) seeds in various media. Sylvatrop. 8(2-4): 133-137.Gianan NS and Peregrino DI. 1986. Effects of gibberellic acid on the survival, height and diameter growth of planted red lauan, mayapis and tanguile seedlings. Sylvatrop. 11(3-4): 103-127.
Gonzales EV et al. 1974. Tannin-extract production from local [Philippine] materials; their utilization for tanning hides and skins. Forpride Digest. 3(3-4): 10-22.
Lemmens RHMJ and Wulijarni-Spetjiptoed. 1991. Dye and tannin producing plants: Plant Resources of South-East Asia. No. 3. Pudoc Wageningen. Netherlands.