Terminalia ivorensis

Specifications

Family

Combretaceae

Species

Terminalia ivorensis A. Chev.

Common name

Terminalia ivorensis
Commonly known as

black afara

ivory coast almond

satinwood

blackbark

brimstonewood

shinglewood

Description

The sapwood is straw yellow or brownish, slightly lighter than the heartwood, sometimes tending towards pink with brownish traces after sawing. The texture is coarse to medium, the grain is also irregular, and the density ranges from 0.45 to 0.67. Drying is easy and occurs with modest shrinkage and without significant deformation, while there is a certain tendency for mold to form and the resulting discoloration. Mechanical strength is average and durability is poor, although it improves after drying.

Plant morphology

A deciduous tree 45-50 m tall, it has a branchless trunk up to 30-35 m in height. It is erect and cylindrical, with a diameter of 120-170 cm, often grooved at the base, sometimes with small buttresses. The bark is smooth and gray on young trees, characterized by deep longitudinal furrows, and blackish-brown on mature trees. The branches are arranged in a spiral. The leaves are grouped at the ends of the branches and arranged in a spiral. They are simple and with entire margins, 5-15 cm long, leathery, and glabrous. The inflorescence is a thin axillary spike 7-15 cm long, bearing symmetrical, pentamerous, pale yellow flowers with triangular tepals, 10 free stamens, an inferior ovary, and a glabrous style. The fruit is a winged, oblong nut, 5-10 cm long, brownish, pubescent, indehiscent, and containing one seed.

Natural occurrence

Countries of origin and distribution

Tropical West Africa: from Guinea Bissau to Cameroon.

Habitat and ecology

It is found in evergreen forests and moist semi-deciduous forests, peaking in abundance in the transition zone between the two, in climates characterized by average annual precipitation of 1250–3000 mm, average annual temperatures of 23°–27°C, and a dry season of at least 3 months. It grows on a wide range of soils, from sandy to clayey and lateritic. It does not tolerate prolonged swamping and is vulnerable to fire.

Uses

Use class

CU1

CU2

CU3

CU4

CU5

Application areas

Framirè is currently used for carpentry, interior furnishings and fixtures, furniture, floors not subject to heavy foot traffic, and plywood.

Threats and Conservation

Threats

Harvesting is moderate. Regeneration is often poor due to limited seed production.

Conservation measures

Many attempts to cultivate this species have failed due to high mortality.

IUCN Red List IUCN

VU - Vulnerable

CITES. Year of assessment CITES

1998

1975

2050

CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento

1998

Not present.

Technical data

Aesthetic characteristics

Grain

Obvious

Texture

Coarse

Physical and mechanical properties

Density
ρ

500 kg/m³

Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.

MPa

Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.

MPa

Bending strength
M.O.R.

71 MPa

Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.

11350 MPa

Durability characteristics

Fungal resistance

Moderatamente durabile

Insect resistance

Not resistant

Miscellaneous

Given the conservation status of the species in nature, the use of this wood should be avoided.