Common name: Gamboge

A slow-growing evergreen tree native to south-east Asia, Gamboge grows 10 to 15 meters tall. Trunk straight with smooth, grey bark. Crown pyramid-shaped and densely foliaged. 

Leaves dark green, lance-shaped and arranged opposite along the branches.

Flowers yellow, small and fleshy. Blooms during the dry season with separate female and male flowers on different trees.

Fruit small, round, maturing to yellowish-green about 2 to 3 months after flowering.

Trees are wounded and tapped for their sap, a gum-resin that solidifies to an orange-brown mass, also known as Gamboge. Soluble in water, oil and spirits, Gamboge produces an intense yellow colour used primarily by artists. Dissolving in an alkaline solution changes the colour from yellow to red. Added to lacquers and varnishes Gamboge imparts a golden tint to painted objects.

Despite historical use as a medicine, Gamboge is reported to be poisonous if consumed.

Wood is brownish-yellow, straight grained, fine textured, heavy, moderately hard and polishes well.

Climate: It grows best in humid tropical climates with air temperatures in the range 19 to 35C and annual rainfall between 1700 and 2500 mm. Soils free-draining and moderately acid to moderately alkaline.

Problem feature: There does not appear to be any records of escape and naturalisation anywhere. [Edit]