Kulliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design, IIUM
Merbau Ayer; Merbau Bukit;
Botanical Name: Intsia Palembanica
Genus: Intsia
Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Native: Sarawak
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Descriptions
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Merbau (Borneo Teak/Ironwood) is a big tree that may reach 50 metres of height. It is an evergreen species and a slow grower. The timber is attractive, heavy and strong hardwood at the strength of group B. Interestingly, besides being used for an interior finishing (e.g. panelling, strip and parquet flooring, superior joinery and cabinet-making) Merbau is also used for the making of musical instruments like the guitar. Besides that, the species is widely used for the manufacture of the reproduction of antique furniture and strip flooring at the local context.
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It has several ethnobotanical benefits. The seeds are edible, while the bark and leaves have medicinal value. Besides that, the barks and wood produce dyes of brown and yellow in colours. Others than that Merbau has a high commercial value of timber.
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It is the Native habitat to a terrestrial of Malaysia primary and secondary rainforests and coastal forest. It is propagated from seed.
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Bibliography:
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Wong, T. M. 1982. A Dictionary of Malaysian Timbers. Revised by Lim, S. C. & Chung, R. C. K. Malayan Forest Records No. 30. Kuala Lumpur: Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 201 pp.
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https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/special-pages/plant-detail.aspx?id=2972 [Accessed: 5.8.19]
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https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/28751 [Accessed: 5.8.19]
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https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Intsia+palembanica. [Accessed: 8.8.19]