Afzelia africana

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Afzelia africana is a tree species of the family Fabaceae, native to tropical Africa. It is commonly known as African mahogany or African oak, among other names. The tree is highly valued for its durable hardwood, which is used in the construction and furniture industries.

Description[edit | edit source]

Afzelia africana is a large deciduous tree that can reach up to 30-40 meters in height. The bark is grey to brown, rough and fissured. The leaves are pinnate, with 6-12 pairs of leaflets. The flowers are small, yellowish-white, and arranged in loose spikes. The fruit is a large, woody pod containing 1-12 seeds.

Distribution and habitat[edit | edit source]

Afzelia africana is widely distributed across tropical Africa, from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east, and south to Angola and Mozambique. It is found in a variety of habitats, including savannah woodland, dry forest, and gallery forest.

Uses[edit | edit source]

The wood of Afzelia africana is highly valued for its durability and resistance to termites and fungi. It is used in the construction industry for making doors, windows, and flooring, and in the furniture industry for making high-quality furniture. The tree is also used for medicinal purposes in traditional African medicine.

Conservation[edit | edit source]

Afzelia africana is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The main threats to the species are habitat loss due to deforestation and overexploitation for timber.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


External links[edit | edit source]


This tree-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD