Common Name:

General Information

Dalbergia tricolor is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing 7 - 15 metres tall.
Although small, the tree produces a good quality rosewood and larger specimens are selectively felled, mainly for local use, The tree is also harvested from the wild for local use as a dye and source of fuel.
Dalbergia tricolor has a restricted distribution, being found onlu in the west and south of Madagascar. It is threatened mainly by its logging and the ongoing loss of its habitat which will induce a continuing decline in the number of subpopulations and the quality of habitat as well as an important decline of its area of occupancy. All this is leading to high pressure upon the population of this species, which has been classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Madagascar.

Habitat

Lowland deciduous, seasonally dry forest and woodland at elevations from 50 - 100 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Found in the wild on sandy soils, ferralitic soils derived from gneiss, or on thin, rocky soils[]. In cultivation plants are likely to do well in a fertile, loam soil and a position in full sun[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A black dye is obtained from the bark[].
A red dye is obtained from the wood[].

The heartwood is violet coloured. A good quality rosewood that can be used for cabinet making, it is often used for local purposes[].
The wood is used for fuel[]

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].
Softwood cuttings of many species, especially if taken from younger plants, will root in a well-drained, sandy medium in a closed case with bottom heat[].

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