Hopea odorata

H. odorata is a large tree reaching up to in height with the base of the trunk reaching a diameter of . It grows in forests, preferably near rivers, at elevations to . In places such as West Bengal, the Andaman Islands and southern Vietnam it is often planted as a shade tree. 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). ==Gallery==

File:A leaf of Hopea odorata.jpg|A leaf of Hopea odorata File:Takian77.JPG|Lengths of brocade tied around the exposed roots of a Hopea odorata tree (ตะเคียน) growing on a steep slope as an offering to Nang Ta-khian File:Nang Takhian1cXRF.jpg|Nang Ta-khian File:Hopea odorata Sao den.JPG|Hopea odorata at Hùng Temple, Vietnam File:Ta khian trees IMG20250223164538.jpg|Hopea odorata, Ta-khian trees, by Na Mueang Waterfalls, Koh Samui, Thailand. File:Ta-khian trees with shrine IMG20250223164626.jpg|Hopea odorata, Ta-khian trees with a shrine for the spirit Nang Ta-khian, by Na Mueang Waterfalls, Koh Samui, Thailand. ==References==