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OKAN

 

TRADE NAME

OKAN

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Cylicodiscus gabunensis Harms

 

FAMILY

Mimosaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa

Ivory Coast : BOUEMON
Ghana : BENYA, ADADUA
Nigeria : OKAN
Cameroon : ADOUM, BOKOKA, AFRICAN GREENHEART
Gabon : EDOUM, ODUMA
Congo : N’ DUMA

Pr. = NERL. (large possibilities) Ex. = OCC.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Clearly demarcated, greyish pink, 5 cm

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Yellow-brown to golden brown, with greenish tinge
  • Grain : Slightly/occasionally interlocked to highly/frequently interlocked
  • Texture : Medium to coarse
  • Silver figure : Fine

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1000 – 1100
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (heavy) 910
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (large movement) 0.61
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 8.6
  • Total radial swelling R% = 6.2
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 82
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 187
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 18000

 

 

END USE

  • Railways sleepers
  • Marine piling and dockwork
  • Heavy-duty flooring
  • Wagon trays

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Very durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – An alternate for AZOBE and GREENHEART.

 
NIANGON

 

TRADE NAME

NIANGON

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Heritiera utilis Kosterm.ย (= Tarrietia utilis Sprague)
  • Heritiera densiflora Kosterm.ย (= Tarrietia densiflora Aubr. & Normand)

 

FAMILY

Sterculiaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa *

Sierra Leone : YAMI
Liberia : WHISMORE
Ivory Coast : NIANGON
Ghana : NYANKOM
Gabon : OGOUE
* Mainly H. densiflora

Pr. = FAIRLY IMP. (Decreasing) Ex. = FAIRLY IMP., REGUL.

 

 

SAPWOOD

White to greysih-white, demarcated, 7 cm

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Pink brown to red brown, darkening on exposure
  • Grain : Slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Medium
  • Silver figure : Large
  • Oily feel : Rancid smell

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 900 – 1000
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (medium) 700
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.44
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 9.7
  • Total radial swelling R% = 4.4
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 55
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 144
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 11500

 

 

END USE

  • Interior and exterior joinery
  • High-class furniture
  • Plywood
  • Interior fittings

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Moderate
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – An alternate for MENKULANG for some end-uses.
    – OGOUE from Gabon is heavier.

 
MOVINGUI

 

TRADE NAME

MOVINGUI

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Distemonanthus benthamianus Baill.

 

FAMILY

Caesalpiniaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa

Ivory Coast : BARRE
Ghana : BONSAMDUA
Nigeria : AYAN, AYANRAN
Cameroon : EYEN
Gabon : MOVINGUI
Equat. Guinea : EYEN
Great-Britain : AYAN, DISTEMONANTHUS

Pr. = OCC. (Promotion) Ex. = Low

 

 

SAPWOOD

Narrow, straw-yellow, fairly distinct from heartwood.

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Yellow to yellowish brown
  • Grain : Slightly/occasionally interlocked to highly frequently interlocked
  • Texture : Medium
  • Silver figure : Fine – slightly lustrous
  • Aspect : Ribbon figure on radial surface

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 850 – 950
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (medium) 730
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium to large movement) 0.53
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 6.2
  • Total radial swelling R% = 3.7
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 64
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 162
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 11800

 

 

END USE

 

  • Decorative sliced veneers
  • Furniture
  • Interior and Exterior joinery
  • Domestic flooring
  • Boat-building
  • Vats for chemicals
  • End-uses requiring good bending properties
  • Interior fittings and stairs

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Moderate
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – Contains a yellow extractive liable to stain fabrics.
    – Possible substitute for OAK.

 
KOSIPO

 

TRADE NAME

KOSIPO

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Entandrophragma candollei Harms

 

FAMILY

Meliaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa

Ivory Coast : KOSIPO
Ghana : PENKWA – AKOWAA
Nigeria : OMU, HEAVY SAPELLE
Cameroon : ATOM-ASSIE
Zaire : IMPOMPO
Angola : LIFUCO
W. Germany : KOSIPO – MAHOGANI
Great-Britain : OMU

Pr. = REGUL. Ex. = FREQ.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Clearly demarcated ; whitish to pale brown (5-7.5 cm)

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Brown to dark purple brown
  • Grain : Slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Medium to coarse
  • Silver figure : Fine
  • Stripe figure : Wrinkly grain, but less frequent than SAPELLI

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 850 – 950
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (medium) 690
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.42
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 7.1
  • Total radial swelling R% = 5.0
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 53
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 122
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 9000

 

 

END USE

  • Interior and exterior joinery
  • Interior fittings
  • High-class furniture
  • Sliced veneers for decoration and cabinet work
  • Boat building (interior fittings)

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Moderate
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – A SAPELLI substitute

 
KEVA

 

TRADE NAME

KEVAZINGO (BUBINGA)

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Guibourtia demeusei J. Leonard
  • Guibourtia tesmanii J. Leonard
  • Guibourtia pellegriniana J. Leonard

 

FAMILY

Caesalpiniaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

Central Africa

Cameroon : BINBINGA, ESSINGANG
Equat. Guinea : OVENG
Gabon : KEVAZINGO, EBANA (= G. demeusei)
Zaire : WAKA
U.S.A. : AKUME

Pr. = REGUL. Ex. = REGUL.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Clearly demarcated, whitish, rather thick.

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Red-brown or pinkish brown with purple veins
  • Grain : Straight or slightly/occasionally interlocked
  • Texture : Fine to medium
  • Silver figure : Fine
  • Highly figured veneer (blister figure).

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1000 to 1100
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (heavy) 925
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (large movement) 0.62
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 8.6
  • Total radial swelling R% = 5.3
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 75
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 192
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 16000

 

 

END USE

  • Decorative sliced veneers
  • Fine furniture and interior fittings
  • Turnery
  • Cutlery works and brush industry
  • Flooring
  • Stairs

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – Some resemblance to Rosewood in some cases
    – Resin seams sometimes present.

 
IZOMBE

 

TRADE NAME

IZOMBE

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Testulea gabonensis Pellegr.

 

FAMILY

Ochnaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

Central Africa

Gabon : IZOMBE, AKE, N’KOMI, AKEWE
Congo : N’GWAKI
Cameroon : RONE

Pr. = OCC. Ex. = NEGL.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Not clearly demarcated

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Pink yellow to orange yellow
  • Grain : Straight to slightly/occasionally interlocked
  • Texture : Fine to medium
  • Silver figure : Fine (barely visible)
  • frequent resin deposits

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1000
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (medium) 720
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.47
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 7.4
  • Total radial swelling R% = 4.2
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 61
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 139
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 10500

 

 

END USE

  • Interior and exterior joinery
  • Domestic flooring
  • Decorative sliced veneers
  • Interior fittings
  • Furniture and cabinet work
  • Turnery
  • Carvings

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks : –

 
IROKO

 

TRADE NAME

IROKO (KAMBALA)

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Chlorophora excelsa Benth. & Hook f.
  • Chlorophora regia A. Chev.

 

FAMILY

Moraceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa* – Central Africa – East Africa

Sierra Leone : SEMLI
Liberia : SEMLI
Ivory Coast : IROKO
Ghana : ODUM
Nigeria : ROKKO
Cameroon : ABANG
Gabon : ABANG, MANDJI
Congo-Zaire : KAMBALA
Zaire : LUSANGA, MOLUNDU, MOKONGO
Angola : MOREIRA
Mozambique : TULE MUFALA
East Africa : MVULI, MVULE
Belgique : KAMBALA

Pr. = REGUL. Ex. = REGUL. (From Ivory Coast forbidden in logs)
*C. regia : exclusively in W. Africa

 

 

SAPWOOD

Demarcated, yellowish white, 5 to 7.5 cm

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Yellow brown to dark brown (very variable)
  • Grain : Slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Medium to coarse
  • Silver figure : Fine

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1000 – 1100
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (medium) 650
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.44
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 5.5
  • Total radial swelling R% = 3.5
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 57
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 118
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 9900

 

 

END USE

  • Interior and exterior joinery
  • Interior fittings
  • Decorative sliced veneers
  • High-class furniture
  • Stairs – house framing
  • Domestic floorings
  • Boat building (decking)
  • Vats
  • Turnery

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Very durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Sapwood very susceptible to insect attacks. Usually sapwood is removed before shipping.
  • Other remarks :
    – Good substitute to Teak.
    – Heartwood colour very variable : Light IROKO is in greater demand for flooring.
    – For export as logs, sapwood is usually removed (Zaire for example).

 
EBIARA

 

TRADE NAME

EBIARA

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Berlinia bracteosa Benth.
  • Berlinia confusa Hoyle
  • Berlinia grandiflora Hutch. & Dalz.

 

FAMILY

Caesalpiniaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa

Sierra Leone : SARKPEI
Ivory Coast : POCOULI, MELEGBA
Nigeria : EKPOGOI
Cameroon : ABEM, ESSABEM
Gabon : EBIARA
Congo-Zaire : M’POSSA
Angola : M’POSSA
Great Britain : BERLINIA
W. Germany : BERLINIA

Pr. = NEGL. but POSS. Ex. = Low

 

 

SAPWOOD

Whitish to pinkish – rather thick 10 – 15 cm.

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Pink brown to dark red brown with dark brown or purple streaks
  • Grain : Straight to slightly/occasionally interlocked
  • Texture : Medium to coarse
  • Silver figure : –
  • Gum ducts frequently present

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 850 – 950
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (medium) 720
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.55
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 8.9
  • Total radial swelling R% = 4.4
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 59
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 137
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 11100

 

 

END USE

  • Interior joinery and fittings
  • Furniture components and high-class furniture
  • Heavy construction and house framing
  • Sliced veneers for decoration and cabinet works

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Moderate to durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – Sapwood easily impregnable.

 
DOUSSIE

 

TRADE NAME

DOUSSIE

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Afzelia africana Smith
  • Afzelia bella Harms
  • Afzelia bipendensis Harms
  • Afzelia pachyloba Harms – A. cuanzensis Welw.

 

FAMILY

Caesalpiniaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa
(Afrique de l’Est : A. Cuanzensis)

Sierra Leone : KPENDEI
Guinea Bissau : PAUCONTA
Senegal : LINGUE
Ivory Coast : LINGUE, AZODAU
Ghana : PAPAO
Nigeria : APA, ALIGNA
Cameroon : M’BANGA, DOUSSIE
Congo, Angola : N’KOKONGO
Zaire : BOLENGU
Angola : UVALA
Mozambique : MUSSACOSSA, CHANFUTA (A. Cuanzensis exclusively)
Tanzania : MKORA, MBEMBAKOFI
W. Germany : AFZELIA
U.S.A .: AFZELIA
Portugal : CHANFUTA

Pr. = REGUL. Ex. = REGUL.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Clearly demarcated, whitish to pale yellow – 2 to 5 cm.

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Reddish brown
  • Grain : Straight to slightly/occasionally interlocked
  • Texture : Medium
  • Silver figure : –
  • Yellow or white deposits in splits.

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1100 – 1200
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (heavy) 750
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (small) 0.44
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 4.6
  • Total radial swelling R% = 3.1
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 74*
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 173*
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 13700*
    * A. cuanzensis : MV12 = 850 ; C12 = 63 ; F12 = 153 ; E12 = 11300

 

 

END USE

  • Exterior joinery, high-class interior and exterior fittings
  • Normal and heavy duty flooring
  • Boat building (decking)
  • Chemical-resistant tanks
  • House framing – stairs
  • Heavy construction
  • Furniture
  • Shingles

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Very durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – Contains a yellow-dye stuff that may stain moist fabrics. Not recommended for kitchen fittings for example.
    – Somewhat similar to MERBAU (Intsia bijuga, I. palembanica, I amboinensis).

 
DIBETOU

 

TRADE NAME

DIBETOU

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Lovoa trichilioides Harmsย (= Lovoa klaineana Pierre)

 

FAMILY

Meliaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa

Sierra Leone : WNAIMEI
Ivory Coast : DIBETOU
Ghana : DUBINI-BIRI, MPENGWA
Nigeria : APOPO, SIDA, ANAMENILA
Cameroon : BIBOLO
Gabon : EYAN
Zaire : LIFAKI-MUINDU, BOMBULU
Equat. Guinea : NIVERO, EMBERO
Great Britain : AFRICAN WALNUT, TIGERWOOD
U.S.A : TIGERWOOD, CONGOWOOD
France : NOYER D’AFRIQUE, NOYER DU GABON

Pr. = REGUL. Ex. = FREQ.

 

 

SAPWOOD

Light grey to light yellow – clearly demarcated – up to 7 cm.

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Grey-brown to yellow-brown, sometimes with dark veins
  • Grain : Slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Fine to medium
  • Silver figure : Fine
  • Ribbon figure when quartered. Black deposits in pores

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 750 – 850
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (light) 530
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = 0.43
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 6.1
  • Total radial swelling R% = 3.8
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 47
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 100
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 8400

 

 

END USE

  • Furniture and cabinet work
  • Decorative sliced veneers
  • Interior and exterior joinery
  • Turnery
  • Peeled veneers for plywood faces

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Moderate
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – In East Africa, Lovoa brownii Sprague and L. swynnertonii Bak. f. are both commercialized under the trade name DIBETOU (Uganda = MUKUSU,- Kenya = MUKONGORO, Great Britain = UGANDA WALNUT). Somewhat heavier and harder.
    – Possible confusions with real WALNUT because of vernacular nomenclature AFRICAN WALNUT.

 

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