Bobgunnia fistuloides
Specifications
Family
Fabaceae
Species
Bobgunnia fistuloides (Harms) J.H. Kirkbr. & Wiersema
snake bean
Description
The sapwood is pale yellowish pink, differentiated from the purplish-red heartwood, which darkens with drying. The density ranges between 0.90 and 1.10. The mechanical strength and durability are excellent.
Plant morphology
It is a tree up to 30 meters tall, with an erect, columnar trunk, sometimes branching from the base. The bark is grayish and cracked. The leaves are odd-pinnate, composed of leathery, glaucous-green leaflets. The flowers are rather large, white, night-pollinated, and zygomorphic. The fruit is a fleshy legume.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Tropical West Africa: Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana.
Habitat and ecology
It lives in lowland rainforests.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used for cabinet making, decoration, artistic crafts.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Overharvesting, habitat destruction.
Conservation measures
The species is found in some protected areas. It is necessary to conserve seeds ex situ.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
LC - Least Concern - Low Risk
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2010
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2010
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Fine
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
1020
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
42
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
62
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
149
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
21290
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Very durable
Insect resistance
Resistant
Miscellaneous
Seed dispersal is also carried out by elephants.