Sissoo
Dalbergia sissoo

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10-30 m high. The trunk is 50 cm across. The crown is narrow. The leaves have 3-5 alternately arranged leaflets. The leaflets are broadly oval. They taper to a tip. The flowers are small and creamy-white. They turn yellow. The fruit are pods in clusters. They are flat and have 1-2 seeds.

It can be invasive.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in open woodland. It grows to 1,500 m in the Himalayas. Young trees need good sunlight. It cannot tolerate water-logging. It is moderately salt tolerant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ethiopia, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin),Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Nepal, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, UAE, USA, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds - oil

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds, cuttings or suckers.

It grows quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Indian rosewood, Kala-padauk, Sasam, Sarsoa, Sheesham, Shisham, Sisso, Sissu

Synonyms

Amerimnon sissoo (Roxb.) Kuntze;