Dalbergia velutina Benth.

Etymology Genus After the brothers Nicholas and Carl Gustav Dahlberg, who are Swedish botanists
Species Velvety (leaves)
Family Fabaceae
Synonyms -
Common Names Velvety Dalbergia
Status Native: Endangered
Form Woody climber
Native Distribution From Bangladesh to China, down to Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo

Diagnostics

Woody climber to 20m, with several nice specimens along Lornie Trail. The leaves are compound and oppositely arranged, with up to 11-19 oblong leaflets (Balslev & Chantaranothai, 2018–2023). The young leaflets are densely covered with small brown hairs, making them velvety to the touch.

The variety found in Singapore is Dalbergia velutina var. maingayi.

A large climber along Lornie Trail (2025).

Woody stem.

Compound leaves.

Leaflet underside

Leaves underside.

References

Balslev, H., & Chantaranothai, P. (2018–2023). Flora of Thailand: Vol. 4. Part 3. Leguminosae - Papilionoideae (pp. 221–715). Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Department.

Siyang · 2026-03-04