Millettia peguensis

Millettia peguensis, the Moulmein rosewood (Bengali: তূমা Tuma), is a legume tree species in the genus Millettia. It is native to Lower Burma and Siam. This is a relatively rare tree as compared to Pongam (Millettia pinnata) that is very similar looking, but more common in India. Pongam has white flowers while the Milletia flowers are bright pink. Pongam has more elongated tip to leaves, while those of M. peguensis are more oval. The plant is a food source for the Jamides bochus caterpillar.

Millettia peguensis
Tree in Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Subfamily:
Faboideae
Tribe:
Millettieae
Genus:
Millettia
Species:
M. peguensis
Binomial name
Millettia peguensis
Ali[1]
Synonyms

Pongamia ovalifolia
Millettia ovalifolia

No medicinal or other uses are reported for this plant but the common name 'Moulmein rosewood' suggests that its timber is probably hard, heavy and as useful as some of other rosewoods. The tree is easily propagated in Delhi but it is not very well known in other tropical countries.

Millettia peguensis, Moulmein rosewood with pink- purple small flower in march 2020. Ramna Park, Dhaka

References
  1. Kew Bull. 21:489. 1968


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