About Cyrtophyllum fragrans (Roxb.) DC.
Tembusu, the common Malay name for Cyrtophyllum fragrans (synonym Fagraea fragrans), is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae, native to Southeast Asia ranging from Indo-China to New Guinea. It is also commonly called ironwood. Its dark brown trunk has deeply fissured bark that resembles the surface of a bittergourd. This tree grows into an irregular shape, reaching 10 to 25 metres in height. It bears light green, oval-shaped leaves, and distinctively fragrant yellowish flowers. Its fruits are bitter-tasting red berries, which are eaten by Pteropus fruit bats. The tree produces very hard wood from its trunk, which is used to make chopping boards and floors. This wood is not eaten by termites or weevils, and can last for over a hundred years.
