AgroForestryTree Database
Litsea monopetala
 Species identityEcology and distributionPropagation and managementFunctional usesPests and diseasesAdditional InfoBibliographyImages |
Species identity
TaxonomySynonym(s)
Common names
(Burmese) : ondon laukya
(Indonesian) : huru manuk (Sundanese, Java)
(Malay) : bangang (Peninsular)
(Thai) : kathang (peninsular)
Botanic description
A small tree up to 18 m tall, bole straight to crooked, up to 60 cm in diameter, bark surface longitudinally fissured, dark greyish, inner bark brown mottled. Leaves alternate, 4.5-17 cm x 2.5-10 cm, blunt to acute, glabrous above, sparsely hairy below, midrib sunken above, with 6-13 pairs of secondary veins which are sunken above, tertiary venation scalariform, distinct below, petiole 1-2.5 cm long. Flowers in peduncled umbellules in short racemes, with (4-)6 tepals and 9-12 stamens. Fruit oblong to ellipsoid, 0.7-1.2 cm long, seated on a small flat perianth cup.
Ecology and distribution
Natural HabitatL. monopetala is locally common in mixed lowland and montane evergreen or semi-deciduous forest.
India, Burma (Myanmar), throughout Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Java.
Biophysical limitsAltitude: Up to 1500 m.
Reproductive Biology
The fruits of L. monopetala are thought to be dispersed by bats.
Propagation and management
Functional uses
ProductsFodder: The leaves are the principal food of the muga silkworm (Antheraea assama) in India and are used for fodder in Nepal. Medicine: The seeds contain an oil which is used medicinally in India. Timber: The wood is used as medang, e.g. for planks and tool handles.Additional Information
PropertiesTimber: The density of the wood is about 540 kg/m cubic at 15% moisture content.