Lauan
Lauan is a common timber trade name used for several species of tropical hardwoods in the Shorea group (family Dipterocarpaceae) found across Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The term does not refer to a single species; instead, it denotes a group of related woods whose veneers or boards are marketed together as lauan or lauan plywood. In the past, lauan was sometimes marketed as “Philippine mahogany,” a generic label rather than a precise species name.
The wood is typically pale to medium brown with a relatively fine, uniform texture and straight grain.
Ecology and sustainability concerns accompany its production. Lauan originates from tropical dipterocarp forests that have experienced
Trade and nomenclature can be confusing, as lauan may be sold under related regional names such as