Tectona

Tectona is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. It comprises a few species, the best known being Tectona grandis, commonly called teak. The genus has been variously classified, but is currently placed in Lamiaceae. Teak wood from T. grandis is highly valued for its durability and natural oils.

Tectona grandis is native to tropical Asia, with a distribution that includes parts of India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It has been widely introduced and cultivated in tropical regions around the world, including Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Oceania. The species prefers warm climates, well-drained soils, and a marked dry season that promotes resin content and timber quality.

Morphology common to the genus and particularly T. grandis includes large, deciduous trees with straight trunks and broad, opposite leaves. Leaves are typically large and simple, with a rough texture. Flowers are small and inconspicuous, produced in panicles. The fruit is a small dry capsule. Older trees may develop a stout, buttressed trunk.

Uses and conservation: The timber, teak, is renowned for its durability, resistance to decay, and workability, making it a preferred material for outdoor furniture, decking, flooring, shipbuilding, and other high-end carpentry. Teak is now grown in plantations and managed forests in many tropical countries. Sustainable forestry practices, certification schemes, and legal harvest regulations are commonly used to address concerns about overharvesting and habitat impact.