The black sandalwood, scientifically named Cassia siamea, belongs to the genus of legumes. It is commonly referred to as Thai mountain lentils, Mumbai ebony, or Mumbai rosewood. This plant family includes around 500 species, which are found in tropical, subtropical, and even some temperate regions. It can grow as trees, shrubs, or herbs, making it one of the most valuable timber species within its genus.
Reaching heights of up to 20 meters, this tree boasts a dark gray bark that is almost smooth. Its branchlets are thick, slightly ribbed, and sparsely covered with hair. The leaves are pinnate, featuring 6-11 pairs of small leaflets that are thin yet leathery. Each leaflet is oblong, measuring between 3.5 to 7 cm in length and 1.5 to 2 cm in width. The leaf tips are rounded, slightly concave, and sharply pointed, while the base is nearly circular. The underside of the leaves may have a few hairs. The stipules tend to drop off early. The flowers grow in axillary racemes, forming a cone-like structure, with the inflorescence axis being covered in grayish-yellow hairs. The sepals are five-lobed, approximately 2.5 cm long, and the petals are yellow. There are ten stamens, seven of which are fully developed, while three remain underdeveloped. The ovary is sessile. The pods are strip-shaped, flat, tapering at both ends, and range from 15 to 30 cm in length.
The seeds are nearly round and flat, with each pod containing between 10 to 20 seeds. These seeds are approximately 1 to 1.5 cm wide. In China, this species is cultivated in Fujian, southern Taiwan, Guangzhou, Hainan, southwestern Guangxi, southern Yunnan, and the western parts of the country. Notably, the cultivation of firewood forests in Jinghong, Yunnan, has been ongoing for many years. This tree thrives in bright sunlight and requires warmth. It cannot withstand frost or cold conditions. In tropical regions, it grows best where the average annual temperature ranges from 21 to 24°C, with the lowest temperature not falling below 2°C. In the subtropics of South Asia, it can tolerate temperatures down to 0°C, provided the average annual temperature remains around 19.5°C. This tree exhibits strong budding capabilities and is ideal for use in firewood forests. Typically, it can be harvested every three years and used continuously for several decades.
Propagation occurs through seeds, with the optimal time for seed collection being from March to April. The seeds are dark brown and shiny, with a weight of about 25 to 30 grams per thousand seeds. The germination rate is roughly 50%, and the seeds can remain viable for up to five years. Direct seeding or afforestation using seedlings is possible, with seedlings aged one to two years being most suitable for planting. Soil requirements are not overly stringent, and the tree can be successfully grown in well-drained areas of red soil or laterite soils in tropical and southern subtropical China. Fertile soil in rural areas promotes faster growth. The tree is often used as a pioneer species for barren hillsides and urban greening due to its hardiness. However, it is vulnerable to ant attacks during germination, and young seedlings can be damaged by biting insects. Occasionally, young forests may suffer from infestations of iron knives and brown moths.
The timber of the ironwood is a lightweight, porous material with a straight grain and a moderately dense structure. The sapwood is yellowish-white to white, while the heartwood is dark brown to purplish-brown, turning nearly black in the air, hence its nickname "ebony." The heartwood is solid, resistant to decay, moisture, and pests, making it an excellent choice for construction, tools, furniture, and musical instruments. Due to its high calorific value, strong flame, rapid growth, and vigorous sprouting ability, it is also considered an ideal species for producing charcoal. The tree is evergreen, with a prolonged flowering period and minimal pest issues, making it suitable for use as street trees and windbreaks. The bark and pods contain tannins, which can be extracted for various purposes. Lac insects can be reared on the branches to produce shellac.
Shellac, a natural resin secreted by lac insects after feeding on the sap of host trees, is also known as lac dye, erythroid, and comfrey. It possesses excellent adhesive properties, a glossy finish, UV stability, good electrical insulation, thermoplastic and thermosetting characteristics. It is soluble in alcohol and alkali, resistant to oils and acids, and non-toxic, making it safe for human contact. Shellac is widely utilized in industries such as defense, electronics, coatings, rubber, plastics, medicine, leather, paper, printing, food, and more.
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