Iron Wood
Xanthostemon verus

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

Xanthostemon verus or commonly known as Iron Wood is a large, evergreen tree that can be found in Southeast Asia specifically in Indonesia. No plant part is edible or of medicinal importance. The wood is very hard, very heavy, highly durable, and resistant to marine borers. Its hardness makes it very difficult to work. It is suitable for making rudders, parts of anchors, building bridges, house construction, etc.

Xanthostemon verus is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Rainforests.

Southeast Asia - Indonesia.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Indonesia

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Other Uses The dark reddish-brown wood is very hard; very heavy; durable; resistant to the weather, soil and water, marine borers etc. Its hardness makes it very difficult to work. It is used for making rudders, parts of anchors etc. It is used for building bridges, house construction etc. The wood is too hard for general building purposes.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Not known

Propagating it: Seed -

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Eugenia amboinensis Nois. ex Link Metrosideros pictipetala Blanco Metrosideros suberosa Roxb. Metros