Jiang Xiang

Dalbergia odorifera is a medium-sized semi-evergreen tree in the Fabaceae, endemic to Hainan Island and adjacent areas of southern China, growing in low-elevation forests on limestone and granite slopes. It reaches 10-15 m tall with a dense crown and rough grey-brown bark. The alternate, odd-pinnate compound leaves are 12-25 cm long with 7-13 alternate leaflets that are broadly ovate, leathery, glabrous, and dark green. Small whitish to pale yellow papilionaceous flowers are borne in axillary panicles, followed by flat oblong leathery legumes 4-8 cm long containing one to two flat reniform seeds. The mature heartwood is dense, fragrant, reddish-brown with darker streaks, exuding an intense balsamic aroma when cut. The dried fragrant heartwood, taken from old trees, is the medicinal Jiang Xiang. The species is CITES Appendix II listed and critically endangered in the wild.