Common Name:

General Information

Baikiaea insignis is an evergreen tree with a crown that is often wide and spreading; it can grow from 5 - 34 metres tall. The cylindrical bole is usually straight; it can be free of branches for 3.5 - 20 metres; around 20 - 100cm in diameter; often fluted at the base and rarely with buttresses[, , ]
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood, and is also sometimes used as a famine food. The wood is also sometimes traded. The tree is sometimes planted as a shade-providing avenue tree, and is very ornamental because of its very large, handsome flowers which can be around 25cm in diameter[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, DR Congo, northern Angola, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania.

Habitat

Rain-forest; periodically flooded riparian formations with Uapaca heudelotii, Irvingia smithii; gallery forest; firm ground and mountain forest; also in swampy forests; at elevations up to 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A slow-growing tree.
Trees respond well to coppicing when young, and can also be pollarded.
The pod splits open and throws the seeds out several metres from the mother tree. To obtain the seeds a search must be made on the ground
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

Seeds - cooked[]. They are roasted and eaten during times of famine, when better foods are not available[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is straw-coloured or more yellowish with a pinkish tinge, turning a grayish brown on drying, and often marked with darker streaks; there is little or no distinction from sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain straight; when worked the wood has a green fig odour, but it is free of any distinctive taste. The wood is moderately hard, heavy, strong; it is rated as nondurable and is very liable to beetle and termite attack. It seasons well with little or no degrade except for end checking and moderate cup; once dry it is moderately stable in service. Green timber is difficult to saw because gummy sawdust clogs the teeth and blade; it works easily with hand and machine tools, though there is some tearing of the grain in planing. The wood is used for flooring, heavy construction (if treated), furniture components, joinery, shelving etc[, ].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - soaking the seed overnight prior to sowing will shorten germination time.

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