Oud is not the name of a single tree.
Oud is fragrant resinous wood that forms in certain trees of the Thymelaeaceae family. Its best-known sources are the genera Aquilaria and Gyrinops. Kew currently accepts 21 species in the former and 9 in the latter, but belonging to either genus does not mean that every tree or species produces the same commercial agarwood. [1] [2] [4]
What does the tree look like?
They are evergreen woody trees or shrubs of tropical and subtropical environments. Leaves are simple and alternate, flowers are small, and capsule-like fruits hold the seeds. Details, size and fruit form vary between species, so one leaf photograph is not enough for reliable identification.
How does wood become oud?
Healthy wood is relatively pale and lightly scented. When the tree experiences physical, biological or environmental stress, defence mechanisms deposit resinous compounds around the affected area. Over time, the wood becomes darker, heavier and aromatically more complex. This response can also be induced through mechanical wounding, biological inoculation and other controlled methods. [3]
Cultivation describes where the tree grew. Induction describes how resin formation began. They are separate facts.
Genus and species: the scientific map.
Aquilaria malaccensis
Broadly distributed in South and Southeast Asia and among the most cultivated and studied species.
Aquilaria crassna
Centred in mainland Southeast Asia, especially Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
Aquilaria sinensis
A prominent southern Chinese species with a substantial research and plantation presence.
Aquilaria subintegra
Native around Thailand and the Malay Peninsula and also commercially cultivated.
Aquilaria microcarpa
A Malaysian, Indonesian and Bornean species with documented agarwood production.
Aquilaria filaria
Ranges through parts of the Philippines, eastern Indonesia and New Guinea.
Gyrinops versteegii
An important eastern Indonesian species, notably in the Lesser Sunda Islands.
Gyrinops walla
Associated with Sri Lanka and South Asia and botanically distinct from Aquilaria.
Educational examples, not a quality ranking.
Where do agarwood trees grow?
Drag the globe, zoom into its terrain, or select a region to fly there and reveal its species.
Directory of 30 accepted species
Search by scientific name or filter by genus and region.
Aquilaria apiculata
The Philippines
Aquilaria baillonii
Mainland Southeast Asia
Aquilaria banaense
Mainland Southeast Asia
Aquilaria beccariana
Malay Peninsula · Sumatra, Borneo & Java trade routes
Aquilaria brachyantha
The Philippines
Aquilaria citrinicarpa
The Philippines
Aquilaria crassna
Mainland Southeast Asia
Aquilaria cumingiana
The Philippines
Aquilaria decemcostata
The Philippines
Aquilaria filaria
The Philippines · Eastern Indonesia & New Guinea
Aquilaria hirta
Malay Peninsula · Sumatra, Borneo & Java trade routes
Aquilaria khasiana
South Asia
Aquilaria malaccensis
South Asia · Mainland Southeast Asia · Malay Peninsula · Sumatra, Borneo & Java trade routes
Aquilaria microcarpa
Malay Peninsula · Sumatra, Borneo & Java trade routes
Aquilaria parvifolia
The Philippines
Aquilaria rostrata
Malay Peninsula
Aquilaria rugosa
Mainland Southeast Asia
Aquilaria sinensis
Southern China
Aquilaria subintegra
Mainland Southeast Asia · Malay Peninsula
Aquilaria urdanetensis
The Philippines
Aquilaria yunnanensis
Southern China
Gyrinops caudata
Eastern Indonesia & New Guinea
Gyrinops decipiens
Eastern Indonesia & New Guinea
Gyrinops ledermannii
Eastern Indonesia & New Guinea
Gyrinops moluccana
Eastern Indonesia & New Guinea
Gyrinops podocarpa
Eastern Indonesia & New Guinea
Gyrinops salicifolia
Eastern Indonesia & New Guinea
Gyrinops versteegii
Eastern Indonesia & New Guinea
Gyrinops vidalii
Mainland Southeast Asia
Gyrinops walla
South Asia
The overall native range of Aquilaria extends from Assam to southern China and New Guinea. Gyrinops ranges from Sri Lanka to New Guinea. [1] [2]
Six classifications that should stay separate.
Botanical classification
Kingdom Plantae → order Malvales → family Thymelaeaceae → genera Aquilaria and Gyrinops → species. This is the most precise scientific system.
Geographic and trade origin
Indian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Kalimantan, Sumatran, Javanese, Marouki and similar terms often describe a market region, trade route or grading style. They do not establish the botanical species on their own.
Tree source and resin formation
Wild or cultivated describes the tree source. Naturally formed or induced describes how resin formation began. A cultivated tree can carry induced resin; these are separate descriptions.
Post-harvest treatment
Unperfumed, enhanced, soaked, treated or oil-infused describe commercial processing and should be disclosed separately from the tree origin.
Product form
Wood pieces, chips, powder, distilled oil and extract. Form determines use, but does not establish quality by itself.
Grade and quality
Read the batch: resin amount and distribution, cleanliness, aroma under suitable heat, treatment, net weight and consistency. Colour, sinking and smoke density are partial clues, not stand-alone verdicts.
Why can names match while aromas differ?
The oud chain combines botany, geography, local grading, processing and market taste. Two trade names may refer to the same botanical species, while one trade name may cover several species or batches. Ask for batch facts: source, documented species when available, cultivation, resin formation, processing, actual photographs and a sample.
Responsible trade is part of quality.
Agarwood-producing Aquilaria and Gyrinops taxa are regulated in international trade under CITES. Importers and exporters should verify documentary requirements for the source country, destination and product form. A clear source protects the supply chain and the value of the product. [5]
Botanical classification evolves; counts and ranges here follow the linked references at the time of the latest update.