Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., Fl.Ind. 3:223. 1832. Baker in Hook.f., Fl.Brit.Ind.2:231.1876; Parker, For.Fl.Punj.ed.3.166.1956.
Vern.: Shisham, Sissu, Tali.
Tree with rough bark and mainly longitudinal furrows, young branch pubescent. Leaf imparipinnate, rachis c. 3.7-7.5 cm long; leaflets 3-5, c. 3.5-6.5 cm long, broadly ovate or suborbicular, acuminate, glabrescent, petiolule c. 5-8 mm long; stipules c. 5 mm long. Inflorescence an axillary panicle, composed of several short spikes with sessile to subsessile flowers. Bract small, pubescent, caducous. Calyx c. 5 mm long, teeth ciliate, unequal, shorter than the tube. Corolla yellowish white. Stamens 9, monadelphous, tube slit on the upper side only, anthers uniform. Ovary pubescent, 2-4-ovulate, style glabrous, stigma capitate. Fruit c. 3.7-10 cm long, c. 7.0-13 mm broad, strap-shaped, glabrous, 1-4-seeded. Seed flattened.
Fl. Per.: March-May.
Type: Roxb. l.c. ined. 970 (K).
Distribution: Pakistan; India; Sikkim; Afghanistan; Persia; Iraq.
Very widely planted in the plains along the roadsides, canals and fields and in the forest plantations. The wood which is hard, heavy and durable, is very important. It is commonly used for furniture, carts, boats, wheels etc.