Erythrophleum spp.

Specifications

Family

Fabaceae

Species

Erythrophleum spp.

Common name

Erythrophleum spp.
Commonly known as

sasswood

ordeal tree

redwater tree

Description

The sapwood is thin and yellowish, clearly differentiated from the yellowish-brown heartwood with reddish or reddish-brown variegations from exposure to air. The texture is coarse, the grain interwoven, and the density ranges from 0.80 to 1.10. Drying must be done slowly to avoid cracking and splitting. Furthermore, the dust resulting from processing can cause dermatitis. The mechanical strength is high, and resistance to alterations is excellent.

Plant morphology

Trees no taller than 30 m with a maximum trunk circumference of 90 cm, often polycormic and with sinuous trunks. The crown is very broad. The leaves are compound, odd-pinnate, composed of shiny leaflets and pointed at the apex. The inflorescences are apical panicles. The fruit is a large, woody legume.

Natural occurrence

Countries of origin and distribution

Tropical Africa: Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania.

Habitat and ecology

E. suaveolens grows in semi-deciduous forests, gallery forests, and wooded savannas. E. ivorense occurs scattered in primary or secondary evergreen forests and semi-deciduous forests.

Uses

Use class

CU1

CU2

CU3

CU4

CU5

Application areas

It is sought after for railway sleepers, flooring, heavy carpentry.

Threats and Conservation

Threats

Mining, over-harvesting of forest timber, habitat loss.

Conservation measures

Protected areas and ex situ conservation.

IUCN Red List IUCN

Erythrophleum ivorense LC - Least Concern (2019); Erythrophleum suaveolensi LC - Least Concern (2019).

CITES. Year of assessment CITES

CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento

Not present.

Technical data

Aesthetic characteristics

Grain

Obvious

Texture

Coarse

Physical and mechanical properties

Density
ρ

910 kg/m³

Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.

MPa

Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.

MPa

Bending strength
M.O.R.

128 MPa

Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.

19490 MPa

Durability characteristics

Fungal resistance

Very durable

Insect resistance

Resistant

Miscellaneous

This wood is obtained from the processing of two species: Erythrophleum ivorense A. Chév. and E. suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan.