Teak is a tall evergreen tree with very large leaves and small white flowers set on meter-long panicles. The timber is world famous and its uses are well known. The heart wood is golden yellow when freshly cut, later turning brown. The hard knots which develop on trunks are prized for making tobacco pipes.

Teak is widely used for making decks of ships due to its resistance to water and weather damage and is rightly called the Ship Tree. On the basis of origin Indian teak is distinguished into two classes, Central Indian Teak and South Indian Teak. It is widely growing throughout Kerala, especially Periyar Tiger Reserve and Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. Teak wood is also used in making furniture and home construction.