Common Name:

General Information

Baphia kirkii is a much-branched tree with a rounded canopy and pendulous branches, growing up to 27 metres tall[]. The irregular-shaped bole is deeply fluted, it can be unbranched for up to 15 metres and up to 90cm in diameter[].
A locally favoured source of timber, the tree is often harvested from the wild. The timber used to be exported, but supplies are now limited and the export of round wood is banned. The tree is sometimes cultivated, both for timber and also for ornament and shade[, , ].
Much of the habitat of this species has suffered from conversion to agriculture and local exploitation. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

East Africa - coastal areas of Tanzania to southern Mozambique.

Habitat

Dry evergreen and riverine forests; coastal forest and bushland; thickets and savannah, usually at elevations up to 400 metres, but occasionally to 900 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A root decoction is drunk to treat epilepsy[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is purplish brown and contains red gum; the sapwood is yellowish white in a layer up to 2cm wide. The grain is straight or slightly wavy; texture fine and even. The wood has a peppery scent. It is very hard; heavy; very durable, with the wood being only rarely attacked by marine borers and termites. The wood is difficult to work with machine tools, rapidly blunting saw teeth and cutters; it finishes and polishes very well; is resilient, with good weathering properties. The wood (trade names: baphia, camwood) is used for furniture (especially table and counter tops), heavy duty flooring and turnery. In tropical Africa it is used for construction of local houses and in boat building, but also for tool handles, pestles, stools and carvings[, ].
The wood is used for fuel and also to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed -

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