Khaya anthotheca
| Khaya anthotheca | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Meliaceae |
| Genus: | Khaya |
| Species: | K. anthotheca |
| Binomial name | |
| Khaya anthotheca (Welw.) C. DC. | |
Khaya anthotheca is a plant species in the Meliaceae family. It is a large tree between 30 to 60 metres (98 to 197 ft) tall with greyish-brown bark. On the larger khaya anthotheca trees, white scented flowers bud at the ends of its branches. Other common names for khaya anthotheca are East African mahogany; Nyasaland mahogany; White Mahogany; Oos-Afrikaanse mahonie is the African name; Acaujo is its name in French. The name anthotheca was taken from the Greek word anthos, which means flower. This species is often confused with Khaya grandifoliola.
Habitat
K. anthotheca grows in medium to low altitude areas in evergreen forests. They require damp lands in order to grow. They are mainly found growing in South Africa, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.
Common uses
The anthotheca tree is used for furniture, flooring, paneling, and boat building. It is the perfect tree for these projects because its bark weathers well, is resistant to borers and termites, is resistant to fungal decay, and is tough but saws well. The bark has a bitter taste which is often used as a medicine for common colds. The oil from the seeds can also be rubbed into a person's scalp to rid of insects and lice.
Threats
It is often cut down and destroyed in East and West Africa. Planting new trees in these areas to make up for what was destroyed is very rare. Genetic erosion is thought to have occurred as well. Because of this, K. anthotheca is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List.
Some populations of the Khaya anthotheca tree are being protected. There have also been bans placed on exporting in some countries.
Sources
- Hawthorne, W. 1998. Khaya anthotheca. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 22 August 2007.
- Alec Naidoo Pretoria. National Botanical Garden. September 2007. Downloaded October 17 2012.
- Forestry Department. Downloaded October 18 2012.
- Mpingo Conservation and Development Initiative. Downloaded October 20 2012.