The Bishopwood (Bischofia javanica) is a fast-growing evergreen tree that can reach 30 metres in height, with a dense, rounded crown. It is native to tropical and subtropical Asia as far south as the Pacific, where it grows in humid forests with a distinct dry season, in open valleys and riverside areas.
Its leaves, fruit and seeds are all edible.
In India, it is considered an excellent shade tree on coffee and cardamom farms.
The tree is planted as a pioneer species in northern Thailand in reforestation projects to restore native forest, due to its rapid growth and ability to attract seed-dispersing wildlife such as birds and bats.
Its bark is used for dyeing, giving brown or red colours.
Its wood is used in construction to make beams, posts, decking, flooring and interior finishing, among other things.
In the Tropical Woodland in the Arboretum of the Botanical Garden of the University of Porto, there are two specimens of this species, classified as Trees of Public Interest due to their rarity and size, which date back to 1963.
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