Mansonia altissima
Specifications
Family
Malvaceae
Species
Mansonia altissima A. Chev.
african walnut
african black walnut
Description
The sapwood is thin, yellowish, and clearly differentiated from the heartwood, which, when fresh, is purplish-brown on the outside and olive-brown in the center, often variegated. The texture is fine and compact, the grain straight, and the density ranges from 0.59 to 0.72. Dust resulting from processing can cause various problems, such as dermatitis, mucosal irritation, asthma, and eczema. The mechanical strength is excellent, while the sapwood has poor durability, while the heartwood has good durability.
Plant morphology
It is a tree up to 40 m tall, with an erect, cylindrical, and slender trunk, with a maximum diameter of 1.5 m. The grayish bark is longitudinally fissured. The crown is ovoid, very dense, with alternate, entire, cordate-elliptical leaves with serrated margins and stipules. The flowers are white, scented, 2-5 cm long, and clustered in terminal inflorescences. The fruit is a finely reticulated samara.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Tropical West Africa: Ivory Coast, Liberia, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo.
Habitat and ecology
It is characteristic of semi-deciduous forests where rainfall is less than 1,600 mm annually and there is a marked dry season. It prefers open woodlands and disturbed environments rather than dense primary forest.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used for furniture, fine carpentry, gunstocks, floorboards, turnery, veneers, and musical instruments.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Slightly obvious
Texture
Fine
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
660
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
46
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
74
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
110
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
13620
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Very durable
Insect resistance
Resistant
Miscellaneous
Bark and wood contain highly toxic substances.