Brachystegia nigerica
Hoyle & APD Jones
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Charles Lemaire (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Summary
Source: WikipediaBrachystegia nigerica is a species of plant in the family Fabaceae. It is found in Cameroon and Nigeria. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Description
A tree. It grows 35 m high. The trunk is 1 m across. The crown is dense and spreading.
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Edible Uses
The seeds are used as a spice.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in the wetter parts of the rain-forest in Nigeria.
Where It Grows
Africa, Nigeria, West Africa,
Other Uses
The heartwood is light to dark brown; it is clearly demarcated from the yellow to yellowish brown sapwood. The texture is medium to coarse; the grain usually deeply interlocked, producing a pronounced roe figure; lustre is high. The heartwood is rated as moderately durable. The wood dries rather slowly, with a marked tendency to check and warp; once dry it is fairly stable in service. It is difficult to saw because of gumming of the saw teeth; blunting may be serious; it machines moderately well with good turning characteristics; it is difficult to plane to a smooth surface because of severe tearing of the grain. It is used traditionally for poles in the contruction of huts, and sometimes for purposes such as parquet flooring, decorative veneer, general construction and joinery where high durability is not required. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal.
Notes
Also as Caesalpinaceae.
Also Known As
Achi, Okwen
References (3)
- Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 3. Kew.
- FAO Corporate Document Repository. The Major Significance of 'Minor' Forest Products. Appendix 3
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
