Afzelia

Afzelia is a genus in family Fabaceae (legumes). The thirteen species all are trees, native to tropical Africa or Asia.

Afzelia
Afzelia africana fruit and seed - MHNT
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Subfamily:
Detarioideae
Genus:
Afzelia
Species
Synonyms
  • Afrafzelia Pierre
  • Pahudia Miq.

Uses

Afzelia species are used primarily for wood, though some species also have medicinal uses. The timber is most commonly traded under the collective name "doussie", as well as under name "afzelia". One of the common names is also "pod mahogany", adding to the confusion surrounding the name mahogany.

The seeds are red and black and are used as beads.

The wood is often used as the surface material for outdoor velodromes.

The highly figured wood of the Asian species, Afzelia xylocarpa, is sold as Afzelia xylay. The seeds and bark of this species are used as medicine.

The dense and wavy wood of an Afzelia africana is used in ship-building.[1]

References
  1. National Geographic TV, Arab Treasure Ship. Viewed 2013-01-13.


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