關於檀香紫檀（學名：Pterocarpus santalinus L. f.）的官方介紹
Official Introduction to Pterocarpus santalinus L. f.
檀香紫檀（Pterocarpus santalinus L. f.），隸屬於豆科（Fabaceae）蝶形花亞科（Faboideae）紫檀屬（Pterocarpus），是《瀕危野生動植物種國際貿易公約》（CITES）附錄Ⅱ中明確保護的珍貴樹種。在歷史上及民間，它更廣為人知的名稱是 「小葉紫檀」 ，是明清時期宮廷御用傢俱的首選木材，素有 「木中之王」 的美譽。
Pterocarpus santalinus L. f., belonging to the Fabaceae family, Faboideae subfamily, and Pterocarpus genus, is a precious tree species explicitly protected under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Historically and among the public, it is more widely known as "Small-Leaf Sandalwood" ("Xiao Ye Zi Tan") and was the preferred timber for imperial furniture during the Ming and Qing dynasties, enjoying the reputation as the "King of Woods."
一、 植物學與分佈
I. Botany and Distribution
檀香紫檀為喬木，樹幹通直，樹皮深褐色，深裂成長方形薄片。其心材新切面呈橘紅色，歷久則轉為深邃的紫紅或紫黑色，紋理細膩交錯，木質堅硬緻密，氣幹密度大於1.00 g/cm³，入水即沉。該樹種原生於印度德干高原的特定區域，對生長環境要求極為苛刻，生長速度緩慢，非數百年不能成材，從而奠定了其稀缺性的自然基礎。
Pterocarpus santalinus is a tree with a straight trunk and dark brown bark, deeply fissured into rectangular flakes. Its heartwood is orange-red when freshly cut, gradually turning into a deep purplish-red or purplish-black over time. The wood has a fine, interlocked grain, is extremely hard and dense, with an air-dry density greater than 1.00 g/cm³, causing it to sink in water. This species is native to specific areas of the Deccan Plateau in India. It has very demanding growth requirements, grows slowly, and takes hundreds of years to mature, which forms the natural basis for its scarcity.
二、 歷史與文化地位
II. Historical and Cultural Status
在中國，檀香紫檀與皇家文化的淵源極深。自明代起，尤其是清代，它成為宮廷製作高級傢俱、建築裝飾、佛像及文房雅器的核心材料，象徵著無上的權力與地位。其沉穩的色澤、靜穆的氣質與卓越的物理特性，完美契合了中國傳統審美中對「內斂」、「厚重」與「永恆」的追求，承載著深厚的中華傳統文化與工藝美術價值。
In China, Pterocarpus santalinus has a profound connection with imperial culture. Starting from the Ming Dynasty, and especially during the Qing Dynasty, it became a core material for crafting high-grade furniture, architectural decorations, Buddhist statues, and scholarly's artifacts for the court, symbolizing supreme power and status. Its serene color, solemn temperament, and excellent physical properties perfectly align with the traditional Chinese aesthetic pursuit of "reserve," "substantiality," and "eternity," carrying deep traditional Chinese cultural and artistic craft value.
三、 材質與價值特性
III. Material and Value Characteristics
檀香紫檀的價值源於其多方面無可比擬的優越特性：
The value of Pterocarpus santalinus stems from its multiple, incomparable superior characteristics:
1. 材質卓越：硬度高、韌性好，耐腐耐久，可傳世珍藏。
1. Exceptional Material: High hardness, good toughness, corrosion and decay resistance, durable enough to be treasured for generations.
2. 色澤尊貴：心材顏色從初成的暖紅到久置的深紫，富於變化，包漿瑩潤如玉。
2. Noble Color: The heartwood color ranges from warm red when new to deep purple after aging, rich in variation, developing a jade-like patina.
3. 紋理精美：木材導管細密，牛毛紋、金星等天然紋理變化多端，獨具藝術美感。
3. Exquisite Grain: The wood vessels are fine and dense, with natural grain patterns like "ox-hair纹" (fine lines) and "golden stars" (yellowish deposits) that are varied and uniquely artistic.
4. 藥用價值：在傳統中醫藥理論中，其木屑或提取物被認為具有活血、止血、鎮痛、消炎等功效，常被用於製作高檔香料或入藥。
4. Medicinal Value: In traditional Chinese medicine theory, its wood chips or extracts are believed to have properties such as promoting blood circulation, stopping bleeding, relieving pain, and reducing inflammation, often used in making high-grade incense or for medicinal purposes.
四、 保護與可持續性
IV. Conservation and Sustainability
由於歷史上的過度採伐和其固有的生長緩慢特性，野生檀香紫檀資源已極度稀缺。因此，其國際貿易受到CITES公約的嚴格管制。我國作為該公約的締約國，對檀香紫檀的進口和使用均有嚴格的監管程序，旨在促進該物種的保護和可持續利用。
Due to historical over-exploitation and its inherently slow growth, wild Pterocarpus santalinus resources have become extremely scarce. Consequently, its international trade is strictly regulated by the CITES convention. As a signatory to this convention, China has strict regulatory procedures for the import and use of Pterocarpus santalinus, aiming to promote the conservation and sustainable use of this species.
總結而言，檀香紫檀不僅是一種極其珍貴的自然資源，更是一種深深植根於歷史、藝術與文化中的活化石。它集實用性、藝術性、文化性與藥用價值於一身，是東方木質文明中一顆璀璨的明珠。
In summary, Pterocarpus santalinus is not only an extremely precious natural resource but also a living fossil deeply rooted in history, art, and culture. It combines practicality, artistry, cultural significance, and medicinal value, making it a brilliant pearl in Eastern wood civilization.