Chloroxylon swietenia | |
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Ragihalli Forest, Bengaluru district, India. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Rosids |
Order: | Sapindales |
Family: | Rutaceae |
Subfamily: | Flindersioideae |
Genus: | Chloroxylon |
Species: | C. swietenia |
Binomial name | |
Chloroxylon swietenia DC. |
Chloroxylon swietenia (Ceylon satinwood, East Indian satinwood or buruta (බුරුත in Sinhala)) is a tropical hardwood, the sole species in the genus Chloroxylon (from the Greek χλωρὸν ξύλον, "green wood"). It is native to southern India, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar.
Ceylon satinwood is a medium-sized deciduous tree, growing to 15–20 m tall, with thick, fissured, slightly corky bark and pinnate leaves. The flowers are small, creamy-white, produced in panicles; the fruit is an oblong three-segmented capsule 2.5-4.5 cm long, containing 1-4 seeds in each segment.
The wood, a satinwood, is often a golden colour with a reflective sheen. It is used for small luxury items and as a veneer in wooden furniture.
Populations have declined due to overexploitation.