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Agarwood/Aloewood

Scientific name: 

Aquilaria malaccensis

Status: 
Vulnerable

Distribution:
Bangladesh; Bhutan; India (Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura); Iran; Peninsular Malaysia; Myanmar; Philippines; Singapore and Thailand. In Indonesia it is found in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Population size:
Not known but reported to be locally very rare.
Habitat:
Forests at the base of mountainous areas.
Threats:
Deforestation and over-exploitation for incense and traditional medicine.

Interesting facts:

  • The fungi infested wood of this species, called agar, is traded as incense and perfume and for use in traditional medicine.
 

References:
Asian Regional Workshop (Conservation & Sustainable Management of Trees, Viet Nam) 1998. Aquilaria malaccensis. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 26 June 2009.