Afrormosia

An African “teak” from the forests along the Congo River – so valuable that its trade is controlled under the CITES convention.

A tall tree of the legume family, reaching 50 m, with a straight trunk and flaking, mottled bark. It grows in the semi-deciduous forests of West and Central Africa and regenerates rarely and irregularly, because young trees need large gaps in the canopy. Its golden-brown wood, which darkens with age, is very durable and moisture-resistant, so it is used instead of teak for furniture, parquet and boatbuilding. Because of overlogging the species has been classed as endangered.

Significance in the country

The DRC, especially around Kisangani and the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve, holds the world’s largest remaining stocks of afrormosia, and the country is its main exporter under CITES supervision.

Where it grows

Semi-deciduous forests of the northern Congo Basin – above all Orientale Province (around Kisangani, Yangambi and Basoko) and the eastern part of Équateur Province.

More: Wikipedia (en)