| Kingdom : | Plantae |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order : | Lamiales |
| Family : | Verbenaceae |
| Genus : | Tectona |
| Scientific Name : | Tectona Grandis |
| Found In : | Gir National Park, Satpura National Park, Pench Tiger Reserve |
Other names : Saka, Burma teak, Rangoon teak, moulmein teak, gia thi, jati sak, kyun, mai sak, rosawa and tekka are the other names used for the Teak tree.
Description : Teak is tall evergreen tree. It has yellowish blonde to reddish brown wood. It attains the height of about 30 meter. The fruit is a drupe. It has bluish to white flowers. It produces the large leaf similar to the tobacco leaf. The bark is whitish gray in colour. It is generally grown straight
with
the uneven texture, medium lusture and the oily feel. The upper surface of
the tree is rough to touch and the inner surface has hairs. The fruit is
enclosed by the bladder like calyx, which is light brown, ribbed and papery. Other species : Tectona grandia, Tectona hamiltoniana, and Tectona philippinensis are the other related species of the Teak tree.
Location : Teak is well grown in all the parts of India. It is also found in the Gir National Park, Satpura National Park, Pench Tiger Reserve in India.
Cultivation methods : The new plants can also be propagated from cuttings. It is usually planted when the four to six weeks old. Plough the land thoroughly and level it. The best season to plant the teak is monsoon, most probably after the first shower. Carry out weeding operations regularly. Teal requires loamy soil rich in humus and having the right content of moisture with good drainage. It grows well in hilly and dry areas. It requires a dry tropical climate for its growth. It flowers in february and March.
Medicinal uses : Teak also holds the medicinal value. The bark is bitter tonic and is considered useful in fever. It is also useful in headache and stomach problems. Digestion may be enhanced by the teak wood or bark. .
Other uses : It is used in the furniture making, boat decks and for indoor flooring. It is widely used to make the doors and house windows. It is resistant to the attack of termites. Its wood contains scented oil which is the repellent to insects. The leaves yield the dye which is used to colour the clothes and edible. Teak is probably the best protected commercial species in the world.
