Dalbergia odorifera | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Genus: | Dalbergia |
Species: | D. odorifera
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Binomial name | |
Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen
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Synonyms[2] | |
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Dalbergia odorifera, fragrant rosewood or Chinese rosewood,[3] is a species of true rosewood in the genus Dalbergia. It is a small or medium-sized tree, 10–15 metres (33–49 ft) tall.[4] It is endemic to China and occurs in Fujian, Hainan, Zhejiang,[4] and Guangdong.[5]
A deciduous tree, D. odorifera will start shedding leaves at around December of each year in the Northern Hemisphere. It becomes dormant throughout the winter months.[6]
It was overexploited in the twentieth century and was classed as a vulnerable species in 1998.[1] This reached a level in the early twenty-first century where most trees of a size for commercial use had been cut down. As a consequence, other species of Dalbergia started to be exploited in its place.[7]
It is used as a wood product and in folk medicine.[3] This valuable wood was used in China for furniture from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties[5] and new furniture in the same styles are sought after as luxury and prestige items.[7]
Four compounds isolated from the root of this plant have been shown in a laboratory to have antioxidant properties.[8]