Lovoa spp.
Specifications
Family
Meliaceae
Species
Lovoa spp.
Description
The sapwood is thin, grayish, and clearly distinct from the brown heartwood, sometimes variegated or with golden or reddish hues, darkening with exposure to air. It has a fine to medium texture, interwoven grain, and a density between 0.45 and 0.62. Mechanical strength is medium and durability is poor.
Plant morphology
They are trees up to 45 m tall with a slender, cylindrical trunk, ribbed at the base, and a maximum diameter of 120 cm. The bark is wrinkled, dark gray-brown, and lenticeled. The leaves are alternate, compound, odd-pinnate, and glabrous. The flowers are tetramerous, unisexual, and reddish-green in color. The fruit has a long wing.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Central-Western Africa: Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Gabon, Congo, Angola, Central African Republic, Uganda, Tanzania.
Habitat and ecology
They are species widespread in evergreen or semi-deciduous forests from the plain up to 1,200 m, generally in acid soils, preferably subject to periodic flooding.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used for gunstocks, fine furniture, interior design, cabinet making, artistic crafts, veneers and decorative veneers.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
The market demand for this wood has grown significantly in recent years, resulting in increased harvesting from the wild, often conducted unsustainably. In the case of L. swynnertonii, planting programs have been tested with poor results due to infestations of Hypsipyla moths.
Conservation measures
These species are present in some protected areas and in ex situ collections. L. swynnertonii is listed as a protected species in Uganda. Sustainable forestry management is needed.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
Lovoa trichilioides LC - Least Concern (2017); L. swynnertonii NT - Near Threatened (2012).
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Slightly obvious
Texture
Medium
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
530
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
37
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
58
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
72
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
10460
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Not very durable
Insect resistance
Resistant
Miscellaneous
This wood is obtained from two species, Lovoa trichilioides Harms and L. swynnertonii Bak. f.