Wenge

Millettia laurentii

Physical Characteristics

Millettia laurentii is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

West tropical Africa - Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, DR Congo.

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Epilepsy In traditional medicine a bark decoction is used to treat liver complaints, diabetes, hernia, skin diseases, constipation, fever and rheumatism. The bark is also applied as an expectorant, emetic and vermifuge, as well as to treat epilepsy, smallpox, oedema, sores and abscesses[299 ]. Several isoflavones have been isolated from the heartwood, and several alkaloids, including guanidine alkaloids, from bark and seeds[299 ].

Known Hazards

The bark is used as fish poison and arrow poison[299 ]. Contact with the fine sawdust produced during processing may cause occupational asthma and allergic dermatitis in workers[299 ]. A quinone (2,6-dimethoxy-1, 4-benzoquinone) has been isolated from the wood and identified as a contact allergen[299 ].