Botanical Name Duranta erecta Common Name Teak Tree, Indian oak Local Name Mai-Sak, Sak Family Labiatae Area Of Origin Native of large primary forests in Asia (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand). Flowering Fruiting J F M A M J J A S O N D Dry / wet Intermediate Sun / shade Sun Altitude 0-1200m Mature Size Up to 40m, large tree Growth Rate 2-3cm trunk diameter increase per year during the first 20 years, then it gets lower. Max Age Can live up to 100 years. Description Deciduous in dry season (Dec to Mar). Leave very large, 15-60x12-35cm, broadly obovate or oval. Mature leave rough above, softly hairy below. Stalk narrowly winged. Bark pale brown, thin, flaking in narrow vertical strips, inner bark white. Flower 0.7-0.9cm, white in widely-branched pyramidal clusters at end of twigs, to 50cm. Fruit 2cm, thin papery hull, inside hard silky- hairy stone with 4 cavities with 1 seed each. Crown open with many small branches. Often buttressed. NOTE: Formerly major component of moister deciduous forests (Teak Forests) in North Thailand, but almost completely logged out in its natural habitat, but it regenerates quickly even on degraded land. Ethno Botany Teak is a yellowish brown timber with good grains and texture. The wood is oily to the touch. Its natural oils make it useful in exposed locations. They make the timber termite and pest resistant and so durable even when not treated. It is used for outdoor furniture, boat decks, and other articles where weather resistance is desired. It is also used for cutting boards, indoor flooring, and countertops and as a veneer for indoor furnishings. It is brittle and therefore less suitable for articles requiring high resilience,