SafePlants

Dalbergia: A Genus of Prized Rosewoods

The Dalbergia genus encompasses a diverse group of trees, shrubs, and lianas, celebrated for their valuable and beautiful wood. These plants belong to the pea family, Fabaceae, specifically the subfamily Faboideae.

Considerations for Pets

• Rosewood in the Dalbergia genus, such as Madagascar Rosewood, has been reported as a potential allergen.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Dalbergia
• Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
• Subfamily: Faboideae
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Synonyms: Dalbergia emarginata (synonym for Dalbergia latifolia)

Distribution and Habitat

• Dalbergia species are primarily found in tropical regions around the world.
• Dalbergia sissoo is native to the Himalayan foothills of northern India.
• Dalbergia odorifera is endemic to Hainan, China.
• Dalbergia latifolia is native to low-elevation tropical regions.

Ecological Role

• Dalbergia sissoo is considered invasive in parts of Kenya and Tanzania.
• Dalbergia sissoo coppices and pollards freely and produces abundant root suckers, especially if the roots have been injured.
• Its roots nodulate and fix nitrogen.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Dalbergia includes small to medium-sized trees, shrubs, and lianas.
• Dalbergia latifolia is predominantly a single-stemmed deciduous tree with a dome-shaped crown, but may not shed leaves in wet conditions.
• Dalbergia sissoo is a deciduous tree with an open spreading crown, reaching a height of 15-35 meters.
• Dalbergia obovata is described as a robust shrub or climber with dense clusters of sweet-smelling flowers followed by yellow-green pods.

Quirky Facts

• In traditional Chinese medicine, both Dalbergia sissoo and Dalbergia odorifera wood are known as "Jiang Xiang" due to their identical medicinal properties.
• The African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) appears unassuming but conceals one of the most valuable heartwoods in the world.

Specific Species

• Dalbergia sissoo:
  • Common Names: North Indian Rosewood, Sheesham, Sisu, Tahli, Tali, Irugudujava
• Dalbergia latifolia:
  • Common Names: Indian Rosewood
• Dalbergia stevensonii:
  • Common Names: Honduran Rosewood
• Dalbergia nigra:
  • Common Names: Brazilian Rosewood, Bahia Rosewood, Rio Rosewood, Jacarand da Bahia, Jacarand De Brazil, Piano wood, Caviuna, Obuina
• Dalbergia nitidula:
  • Common Names: Blink-Platboontjie, Glossy Flat-Bean, Mathibathibane