Local Gaharu Tree Species

For Hope Biotech Sdn Bhd, we are selling two local species:

• Aquilaria malaccensis and 
• Aquilaria microcarpa.

Both of these species are locally known as gaharu, agarwood, aloeswood, lign-aloes and oudh. So, in this article, I'll only discuss about these two species. 

Aquilaria malaccensis
Aquilaria malaccensis belongs to the family of Thymelaeaceae where its scientific classification is as stated below:

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Myrtales

Family: Thymelaeaceae

Genus: Aquilaria

A. malaccensis is a native plant of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Islamic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. This is the very first species that are listed in Appendix II of CITES in February 1995 where all the export or re-export of this species and importing countries of CITES party will need permits to ensure that A. malaccensis is maintained within the levels that are not detrimental to the survival of the species (Barden et al., 2000). Its characteristics are shown in the figure below. 

Aquilaria malaccensis characteristics.
(Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0917e/a0917e04.htm)

As reported by the IUCN Red List, A. malaccensis is being traded internationally for the infected wood part that is known as gaharu for centuries. Only 7-10% of naturally grown gaharu trees will produce it and most of the gaharu in the market are collected from the wild. Thus, this had resulted in overexploitation throughout its range. 

Aquilaria microcarpa
Aquilaria microcarpa has the same scientific classification. However, it is only native in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. All the gaharu producing species are then listed in Appendix II, CITES in 2004. This is due to the increased level of trade over the past decade which is then led to the overexploitation of gaharu species. 

A. microcarpa can be found in lowland forests up to 200m elevation. Its characteristics are shown in the figure below. For centuries, gaharu is being used as incense, perfume and traditional medicine. And currently, gaharu can be processed into various types of products which included fragrance, pleasant purpose, daily item and also accessories. 

Aquilaria microcarpa characteristics. 
(Retrieved from http://htysite.com/gaharu.htm)

Please do feel free to contact us for more information.
May today is your best day!
Email: hopebiotech.jong@gmail.com
(O): +60 82 456 095
(H/P): +60 14 699 5976