Palaquium

Palaquium oblongifolium - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-233

Palaquium is a genus of tropical trees belonging to the Sapotaceae family, which is notable for its production of latex. The genus is primarily found in the Old World tropics, encompassing a wide range of species distributed across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. Palaquium trees are of significant economic importance, particularly for the extraction of gutta-percha, a type of natural latex obtained from several species within this genus. Gutta-percha has historical and contemporary uses in various industries, including dentistry, electronics, and as a material for making golf balls.

Description

Palaquium species are medium to large trees, characterized by their evergreen foliage and the ability to produce a milky latex. The leaves are simple, spirally arranged, often glossy, and leathery in texture. The flowers are small, with white or pale yellow petals, typically borne in clusters. The fruit of Palaquium trees is a berry or a drupe, containing one or several seeds. The seeds are surrounded by a fleshy aril, which is sometimes edible.

Species

There are over 100 species within the Palaquium genus. Some of the well-known species include:

• Palaquium gutta (the primary source of gutta-percha)
• Palaquium leiocarpum
• Palaquium obovatum
• Palaquium luzoniense (known for its edible fruit)

Economic Importance

The most notable product derived from Palaquium trees is gutta-percha, which is harvested by making incisions into the trees' bark and collecting the exuded latex. This material has unique properties, such as resistance to chemical action, electrical insulation, and the ability to be molded upon heating, which have made it valuable in various applications. Historically, gutta-percha was extensively used for insulating underwater telegraph cables. In modern times, it is still used in dentistry for root canal procedures, as well as in the manufacture of some golf balls and as a component in some high-end electronics.

Conservation

Several species of Palaquium are considered to be at risk due to habitat destruction and overexploitation for gutta-percha. Conservation efforts are necessary to ensure the sustainability of these species and their habitats. The conservation status of individual species varies, with some being listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.

See Also

• Sapotaceae
• Latex
• Gutta-percha
• Tropical rainforest