8 Incredible Trees Native to Thailand

Trees play an important role in Thailand. The country is covered in vast forests and is located in the center of mainland Southeast Asia. Thailand’s surface area is 198,120 square miles. Within this land are lush rainforests, sandy beaches, beautiful plains, and more. There is also no shortage of trees. Although there are so many trees, Thailand does suffer from deforestation. Still, over a dozen native species remain in Thailand.

Are you ready to discover some of the most interesting trees in Thailand? Follow along to learn about 8 incredible trees native to Thailand.

1. Atuna excelsa subsp. racemosa

The first native Thai tree is the Atuna excelsa subsp. racemosa, also found in Malesia and the South Pacific islands of Oceania. This tall tree can reach up to 110 feet. The tree has smooth grey to black bark and bright green ovular leaves that slightly curl inward. Atuna excelsa subsp. racemosa trees have blue or white flowers that produce pear-shaped fruit. The fruit is an important ingredient in the raw seafood Filipino dish kinilaw. It’s used to neutralize the fishy taste and acidity.

2. Dalbergia oliveri

Another native Thai tree is the Dalbergia oliveri, a flowering legume in the family Fabaceae. It’s also sometimes called Burma tulipwood, pinkwood, or Tamalan Tree. This tall tree can reach heights up to 100 feet. It is currently listed as endangered because of habitat loss and over-harvesting. Dalbergia oliveri trees have red “rosewood” timber, which is highly sought after. You can find this stunning tree not only in Thailand, but also in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. In Thailand, this tree is called “Mai Ching Chan”.

3. Xanthophyllum obscurum

You can also find Xanthophyllum obscurum trees. They belong to the family Polygalaceae. This tall and thick tree produces beautiful pink, white, or purple flowers. The fruits darken as they ripen. The fruits are round, brown or blackish, and edible. Xanthophyllum obscurum trees are native to southern Thailand and western Malesia. They aren’t picky and mainly live in lowland mixed dipterocarp and lower montane forests. You can find these trees at sea level or high up at elevations up to 6,000 feet.

4. Melodorum fruticosum

Next on our list is Melodorum fruticosum, more commonly known as the white cheesewood. This small and bushy tree produces beautiful flowers. The cream-colored flowers are fragrant and are one of the national flowers of Cambodia. White cheesewood flowers are also the provincial flower of Sisaket province, Thailand. This tree is also old with a rich history. For example, the tree is referred to in ancient Cambodian literature and folklore. In Thailand, white cheesewood flowers are important. So important that a delicious traditional cookie, kleeb lamduan, is made in the shape of a white cheesewood flower.

5. Magnolia praecalva

Another native Thai tree is the Magnolia praecalva. This tree produces large bright white flowers, with thin but long petals. It also belongs to the family Magnoliaceae and is native to Sumatra, Thailand, Vietnam, and Peninsular Malaysia. Like other magnolia trees, Magnolia praecalva flowers are sweet-smelling and showy. Over the last few decades, there has been a decline in Magnolia praecalva trees, but the exact population is unknown.

6. Ceodes umbellifera

Ceodes umbellifera is a small tree or evergreen shrub in the Nyctaginaceae family. It’s native to many countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Madagascar, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hawaii, and the Andaman Islands. You can also find this beautiful shrub in the states of New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. They grow well in warm environments but don’t tolerate high or low temperatures. This beautiful tree plays an important role in its environment, providing food for many animals. It’s also commonly known as the birdlime tree or bird catcher tree. This stunning tree has softwood but is best known for its small pink or yellow flowers. During spring, the plant produces brown fruit. The sweet-smelling sap attracts birds, small mammals, and insects, however, it also keeps them trapped. Bird catcher trees were also once used for traditional medicine in Hawaii and China.

7. Diospyros areolata

Another native and common Thai tree is the Diospyros areolata, a flowering plant in the family Ebenaceae. The plant is also native to Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Java, and Borneo. The tall tree can reach up to 100 feet and produces unique reddish-brown twigs. This tree produces ornamental fruit that is orange when ripe. They grow best in full sun with moderate watering.

8. Chionanthus callophyllus

Last but not least is the Chionanthus callophyllus, a 100-foot Thai native tree. You can also find this beautiful tree in Malaysia and Indonesia. The tree’s diameter reaches up to 12 inches. Chionanthus callophyllus trees have pale green or purple flowers and small round fruits. These trees best grow in lowland forests. Although not as common, they also grow in swamps.