Medium IX was the best medium to initiate callus in white lauan. Among the 11 modifications of Murashigo and Skoog medium tested, Medium IX was the only medium that contained the organic supplements myo-inositol (100 mg/l), nicotinic acid (0.5 mg/l), thiamine-HCL (0.1 mg/l), pyridoxine-HCL (0.1 mg/l), choline chloride (10 mg/l) calcium pantothenate (0.1 mg/l), riboflavin (0.1 mg/l), ascorbic acid (50 mg/l), biotin (0.01 mg/l), lysine (12.5 mg/l), asparagine (16 mg/l), glycine (8 mg/l), 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.5 mg/l), and N6benzylaminopurine (10 mg/l). It was observed that the vitamins pyridoxine-HCL and ascorbic acid, and the growth regulators 2,4-D and BAP are important for callus initiation, while amino acids asparagine, lysine, and glycine were required in maintaining the growth of the callus.