Piptadeniastrum africanum
Specifications
Family
Fabaceae
Species
Piptadeniastrum africanum (Hook. F.) Brenan
false sasswood
redwood
Description
The sapwood is thin, grayish-brown, clearly differentiated from the grayish or golden-brown heartwood. The texture is coarse, the grain interwoven, and the density ranges from 0.60 to 0.83. When fresh, it emits an unpleasant odor. Processing is difficult due to the high silica content of the tissues; the dust is highly irritating (respiratory problems and dermatitis). The heartwood has good mechanical strength and moderate durability.
Plant morphology
It is a large tree, sometimes over 50 m tall, with a columnar trunk up to 3 m in diameter and robust ribs. The bark is grayish, with numerous light spots. The leaves are alternate, bipinnate, composed of 10-19 opposite leaflets with an asymmetrical base, obtuse at the apex, and pubescent along the margins. The inflorescence is a very dense terminal raceme composed of numerous yellowish-white pentamerous flowers. The fruit is a long, dehiscent legume, typically containing more than 9 seeds.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Tropical Africa: Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Sudan, Uganda, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola.
Habitat and ecology
It is mainly found in lowland rainforests in secondary formations, from sea level up to 1,200 m. It prefers hillsides and well-drained soils.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used for load-bearing structures, general construction, railway sleepers, boats, heavy carpentry, and flooring.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
The species is conserved in 7 ex situ collections (BGCI 2019) and in various protected areas in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon.
Conservation measures
Not reported.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
LC - Least Concern - Low Risk
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2019
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2019
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Slightly obvious
Texture
Coarse
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
700
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
38
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
85
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
98
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
15190
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Moderatamente durabile
Insect resistance
Resistant