# Teak (*Tectona L.f.*)

Teak trees are tall and strong trees that are famous for their durable wood. They have small white flowers and produce hard-shelled fruits. Teak wood is used to make furniture and boats.

- **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Tropical forests
- **Also known as:** Tectona grandis

![Teak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tectona_grandis_1zz.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tectona_grandis_1zz.jpg)

## Appearance

The Teak is a tall, straight tree with a deeply furrowed, greyish-brown bark. It has very large, rough, dark green leaves and produces small, fragrant white flowers. Its strong, upright form makes it stand out in tropical forests.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Lamiales
- **Family:** Lamiaceae
- **Genus:** Tectona

## Interesting facts

- Some Teak trees can live for over 200 years, standing tall through many generations.
- Teak leaves are so massive that people traditionally used them as natural plates or food wrappers!
- Teak wood was once the ultimate choice for building strong, fancy sailing ships and yachts!
- The name 'Teak' comes from a Malayalam word, 'tekka', meaning a species of wood.

## Special abilities

- **Dry Season Dropper:** Teak can shed its large leaves during dry seasons to save water, letting it survive when other plants struggle.
- **Bug Buster Wood:** Teak wood contains natural oils that make it super resistant to termites and other pests, helping the tree stay strong.
- **Weatherproof Timber:** The dense, oily nature of Teak wood makes it incredibly resistant to water and decay, protecting the tree from rot.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-40 m
- **Spread:** 10-20 m
- **Edible:** No
- **Size:** 100-250 cm
- **Lifespan:** 100-200 years
- **Fruit Type:** Drupe
- **Growth Rate:** Medium
- **Leaf Type:** Deciduous

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Giant Honey Bee (*Apis dorsata*) — Bees collect nectar from Teak flowers.
- **Eats:** Teak Defoliator Moth (*Hyblaea puera*) — Larvae munch on Teak leaves, sometimes causing defoliation.
- **Shelter:** [Indian Peafowl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/indian-peafowl) (*Pavo cristatus*) — Finds refuge and nesting sites in Teak forests.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
- [Salt Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/salt-tolerant): Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals.
- [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
- [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

## Collections

- [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Enjoy looking at teak trees from a safe distance and avoid climbing them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Teak?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Teak?

30-40 m

### How wide does Teak spread?

10-20 m

### Is Teak edible?

No

### How big is Teak?

100-250 cm

### How long does Teak live?

100-200 years

### Where is Teak usually found?

Tropical forests

### What kind of fruit does Teak produce?

Drupe

## More Trees

- [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*)
- [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*)
- [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*)
- [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*)

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Source: [Teak: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/teak)