African Mahogany

Afzelia africana

Physical Characteristics

Afzelia africana is a deciduous Tree growing to 8 m (26ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. The plant is not wind tolerant.

Distribution

Western Tropical Africa - Senegal to Sudan, south to the Congo.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Oil Seed Edible Uses: Oil Fruit - raw[ 375 ]. The fleshy pulp in the seedpod, surrounding the seeds, has a sweet flavour[ 303 , 375 ]. Some caution is advised because the seed is poisonous[ 375 ]. Pods flattened 12-17 x 5-8 x 3.5 cm, glabrous, black, woody, persistent bursts open at maturity spreading the seeds. Seeds poisonous, with a sweet edible aril[ 418 ]. The seeds are being investigated for their usefulness in providing seed flour and seed oil[ 325 ]. They contain about 27% crude proteins, 33% crude carbohydrates and 18% of the seed dry weight is oil[ 325 ]. Tender young leaves - occasionally cooked and eaten as a vegetable[ 617 ].

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic Anaphrodisiac Antirheumatic Diuretic Emetic Emmenagogue Febrifuge Laxative Leprosy Malaria The plant is used in traditional medicine, where it is considered to be analgesic, antihaemorrhagic, aphrodisiac, emetic, emmenagogue, febrifuge and laxative[ 375 ]. The plant is used in local medicine for general pain relief; treating digestive problems such as constipation and vomiting; and for internal bleedings (haemorrhagic)[ 325 ]. A decoction of the stem bark is used in the treatment of malaria and rheumatism[ 617 ]. An infusion of the bark is used as a treatment against paralysis, and a decoction against constipation. The pulp is combined with Pericopsis and Tamarindus and used as a diuretic and febrifuge[ 303 ]. The maceration is used as a remedy for leprosy[ 303 ]. The ash of the bark, prepared with Shea butter as a soap, is used as a treatment against lumbago. In a decoction or prepared with food, it is a treatment for back-ache[ 303 ]. The roots are pulverised with millet-beer and used to treat hernias and, in a decoction with pimento, as a remedy against gonorrhoea and stomach-ache[ 303 ]. A leaf decoction, combined with Syzygium guineensis leaves and Xylopia fruit, forms a drink that is used to treat oedema[ 303 ].

Known Hazards

The seeds are poisonous[ 303 , 375 ]. The sawdust can be irritating, producing sneezing[ 375 ]. The bark is used as a fish poison[ 325 ].