PENAGA LAUT / LAURELWOOD (Calophyllum Inophyllum)
Also known as Penaga Laut or Bintangor
Laut, it is from the family called Guttiferae and has its origin as a seashore
plant. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region, from India to Fiji. It is a slow growing, low branching,
large evergreen flowering tree with a broad and spreading crown. It grows well
in sandy coastal soil and is tolerant of salty sea sprays. It can grow up to 25
meters tall and thus widely cultivated as a popular ornamental shade tree.
Leaves are paired on opposite sides of the stem and are decorative, simple,
oval, leathery, shiny dark green with numerous parallel veins. Both parts of
its scientific name – Callophyllum Inophyllum – mean ‘beautiful leaf’. Its
white flowers are sweetly fragrant and occur in small bunches. The fruit
resembles green marbles and are roundish, containing a large seed each. When
ripe, the fruit wrinkles to a yellow or brownish red color. Bats are known to
feed on the fruits.
Its timber is hard and strong, making it suitable for railway sleepers and boat keels. The thick dark green oil from the seeds is used for various medicinal purpose, including treatment for rheumatism, skin eruptions and itch. Its bark resin can be used to treat wounds or tuberculosis. An infusion of the leaves in water is used for treating sore eyes and as astringent for piles. Due its many uses, this tree is considered sacred in some Pacific islands.
Its timber is hard and strong, making it suitable for railway sleepers and boat keels. The thick dark green oil from the seeds is used for various medicinal purpose, including treatment for rheumatism, skin eruptions and itch. Its bark resin can be used to treat wounds or tuberculosis. An infusion of the leaves in water is used for treating sore eyes and as astringent for piles. Due its many uses, this tree is considered sacred in some Pacific islands.