Hopea odorata is a species of tree in the plant family Dipterocarpaceae. It is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Description H. odorata is a large tree reaching up to in height with the base of the trunk reaching a diameter of . It grows in seasonal tropical forests, preferably near rivers, at elevations up to . The seeds are about 6 mm, with two wings that are 50-60 mm long.Phạm Hoàng Hộ (1999) Cây Cỏ Việt Nam: an Illustrated Flora of Vietnam vol. I publ. Nhà Xuẩt Bản Trẻ, HCMC, VN In places such as West Bengal, the Andaman Islands and southern Vietnam it is often planted as a shade tree.AgroForestryTree Database - Species information Valued for its wood, which shows resistance to termites, it is a threatened species in its natural habitat.
Traditions In Thailand, where it is known as ta-khian (), this tree is believed to be inhabited by a certain tree spirit known as Lady Ta-khian (), belonging to a type of ghosts related to trees known generically as Nang Mai (นางไม้).Spirits This tree species is also the subject of legends in Cambodia, where it is known as Koki; in Vietnam it is called Sao đen.
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Hopea odorata Roxb. Buddha Magic Thai Beliefs in the Nang Ta-Khian Tree Spirit within Hopea Odorata trees Nang Ta-khian image at Suankularb Wittayalai Nonthaburi School