AgroForestryTree Database
Anogeissus latifolia
 Species identityEcology and distributionPropagation and managementFunctional usesPests and diseasesAdditional InfoBibliographyImages |
Species identity
TaxonomySynonym(s)
Common names
(English) : axlewood
(Hindi) : bakli, dhau, dhawa, dhawra
(Thai) : takhian-nu
(Vietnamese) : raam
Botanic description
Anogeissus latifolia is a small to medium-sized tree up to 20(-36) m tall. Bole straight and cylindrical or sometimes more poorly shaped, branchless for 8(-10) m, up to 80(-100) cm in diameter, occasionally with small buttresses; bark surface smooth or with scales, pale to dark gray; branches drooping. Leaves opposite or sub-opposite, variably distichous, simple, entire, exstipulate, with grayish-yellow or whitish hairs below. Flowers sessile, in dense, globose heads on an axillary or terminal peduncle, 5-merous, small, sepals connate in a stalk-like tube, expanded at apex into a 5- lobed cup; petals absent; stamens 10, in 2 rows; disk intrastaminal, lobed; ovary inferior, 1-locular with 2 pendulous ovules, style simple. Fruit a 2-winged pseudoachene, packed into a dense head, 1-seeded; calyx tube persistent and forming a beak. The specific epithet latifolia is in reference to its wide leaves.
Ecology and distribution
Natural HabitatFound in deciduous or semi-evergreen forest, A. latifolia is a common element in teak forests but also occurs in the understorey of dipterocarp forest, in bamboo forest and even in vegetation under semi-arid conditions like savanna woodland and dry rocky hills. It is usually associated with Albizia lebbeck, Dalbergia spp., Grewia tilaefolia, Albizia amara, Gyrocarpus jacquini and Mesua ferrea.
Geographic distribution
Native : India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka
Biophysical limitsAltitude: up to 1 200 m Mean annual temperature: 44 deg C Mean annual rainfall: 625-2 250 mm Soil type: Found on a variety of soil types but prefers deep alluvial soils. Does not tolerate waterlogging.
Reproductive Biology
In India, A. latifolia is leafless in February-May, flowers in June-September depending on locality, and mature fruits are present in December-March. Leaf flushing begins in the dry season, reaching a peak time before the onset of rains.
Propagation and management
Propagation methodsNatural regeneration of A. latifolia is very good. It can be propagated by seed and tissue culture. One year old seedlings are the best planting stock in cases of propagation by stumps. The use of wildlings is another artificial regeneration option. Stumps, usually with 22 cm root and 5 cm shoot portion are prepared from 2 year old seedlings. After preparation these are wrapped in moist gunny cloth to prevent dessication. The stumps are freshened before planting to remove the dessicated tips of the shoot and the root. Coppicing is relied upon to regenerate natural stands, coppice shoots grow fairly fast. Shoot cuttings failed to root and calluse irrespective of IBA concentrations and method of application (Modgil et Nayithal 1998).Tree Management
The leaves of the seedlings are killed by severe frost. Young trees are very intolerant of weed competition but can stand light shade when young, however, adult trees are strong light demanders. The tree produces root suckers, coppices and pollards well, but these exhibit great seasonal variability. Coppicing and pollarding should not be done during the rainy season. Thinning of coppice is necesssary. A. latifolia is not very frost tender. Planting is done in 30 cu cm pits, usually after the monsoon rains (July-August). Planting operations must be suspended if no rain is expected for a few days after planting. Plantation areas need protection from animals.
Germplasm Management
Fruits should be collected only when they are fully ripe as immature seeds fail to germinate. The ripe fruits are collected from the trees, dried in the sun and then stored. Generally seed viability is low but increases after very dry seasons. Seed germination is increased by a 3-min hot water seed treatment. Seed storage in metal tins or polythene containers is the best. There are 105 000-125 000 seeds /kg.
Functional uses
ProductsFodder: Tussar silkworms are fed on its foliage which is also used as fodder for cattle and buffaloes. A. latifolia leaves contain up to 45% digestible nutrients. The leaves contain 7.45-11.5% crude protein. The average digestibility coefficients of crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, and N-free extract are 8, 53, 32 and 64 respectively. Total digestible nutrients per 100 kg of dry material work out to 48%. A seasonal variability in chemical composition of the leaves has been reported. Apiculture: Its flowers are an important pollen source for bees. Fuel: A. latifolia yields good charcoal and firewood with an energy value of 17 600-20 500 kJ/kg. Timber: Produces a heavy hardwood with a density of 760-940 kg/cu m. Heartwood absent or small; texture fine to medium and even. Shrinkage upon seasoning is moderate to high, and the wood is difficult to season as it is liable to warping, splitting and surface checking. It is possible to modify surface checking completely by soaking in solutions of 50% polyethylene glycol-600 for 1 day. The wood is hard, strong, and can be difficult to saw. When mixed with other woods can make good packing and writing paper. Gum or resin: Ghatty gum tapped from A. latifolia is a good substitute for gum arabic and is used in calico printing, for sweetmeats, in dye processes, and as a binding agent in pharmaceuticals. Tannin or dyestuff: The leaves and bark are used for tanning, the leaves yield a black dye that is used commercially in India. Medicine: Used in treating snake bites and scorpion stings in India.Services
Erosion control: The tree is a good survivor on eroded land. Used in river bank stabilization. Soil improver: Contributes to soil nutrient cycling, exhibiting high leaf-litter decomposition rates. Boundary or barrier or support: Wood used for erecting fences on field bunds.
Pests and diseasesThe sapwood is susceptible to Lyctus. Sarcinella apocynacearum, S. combratcearum, Tripospermum caseariae and T. lougurensis are ectoparasitic fungi associated with living leaves. Both dead and dying trees are attacked by the stem borers, Olenecamptus anogeissi and Olenecamptus indianus. Wood products susceptible to marine borer attack mainly by the teredinids- Teredo furcifera, Lyrodus pedicellatus, Martesia striata, Teredo parksi, Bankia campanellata and Lyrodus bipartitus. The fungus Uncinula spp is reported in A. latifolia. Other fungi reportedly causing leaf spots are Pestalotiopis versicolor, Marssonina poonensis and Monochaetia jabalpurensis.
Bibliography
Aswathanarayana SC. et al. 1997. Seed viability and microflora of forest tree species. Indian Journal of Forestry. 19(4):326-329.Chanda SK and Bhaid MU. 1988. Studies on the digestibility and nutritive value of common, dried forest fodder tree leaves of Madhya Pradesh in goats. Livestock Adviser. 13(12): 21-24.
Devarnavadagi SB and Murthy BG. 1995. Performance of different tree species on eroded soils of northern dry zone of Karnataka. Advances in Agricultural Research in India. 4: 73-77.
Gadpandey KK et al. 1995. Some new ectoparasitic hyphomycetes from Madhya Pradesh, India. Journal of Living World. 2(2): 69-80.
Jhansi P, Kalpana TP and Ramanujam CGK. 1994. Pollen analysis of some Apis cerana Fabr. honeys from Andhra Pradesh, India. Apidologie. 25(3): 289-296.
Misra RM et al. 1994. Dieback and mortality of Anogeissus latifolia Wall. in Jhansi Forest Division. Indian Journal of Forestry. 17(2): 142-145.
Modgil SK and Nayithal RK. 1998. Studies on rooting response of Anogeissus latifolia wall. Range Management and Agroforestry. 19(1): 67-68.
Rout SK and Gupta SR. 1987. Effect of chemical composition on leaf-litter decomposition in forest soil. Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences. Plant Sciences. 97(5): 399-400.
Singh RV. 1982. Fodder trees of India. Oxford & IBH Co. New Delhi, India.
Sosef MSM, Hong LT, Prawirohatmodjo S. (eds.). 1998. PROSEA 5(3) Timber trees: lesser known species. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden.