This species has been confused in the past with Dalbergia baroni Baker, and was only distinguished in 1996[]. Much of the older literature referring to D. Baroni is equally liable to also refer to this species.

Common Name:

General Information

Dalbergia monticola is a deciduous tree usually growing 8 - 15 metres tall, though sometimes reaching 20 - 30 metres[]. The bole is usually short, though it can sometimes be free of branches for up to 20 metres, and is up to 100cm in diameter[].
The tree is heavily exploited from the wild for its valuable timber which is used locally and also exported[].
The plant has an extensive distribution along the eastern escarpment of Madagascar, including areas with extensive forest cover. However, it is a much sought-after timber and is extensively felled for export. Mature trees are considered rare. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - eastern Madagascar.

Habitat

Evergreen forests at elevations from 350 - 1,600 metres, usually on ferrallitic soils[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moister tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,600 metres. It is found in regions where the mean annual temperature is in the range 18 - 23°c, and the mean annual rainfall is 750 - 2,500 mm[].
Species in this genus are mainly found in the wild growing in sany soils and on limestone escarpments[]. In cultivation they are likely to do well in a fertile, loam soil and a position in full sun[].
Trees are probably slow-growing[].
A long lived plant, surviving for more than 200 years[].
Seedlings are rarely found more than 10 - 20 metres from the trunk of the parent tree[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is greyish yellow-brown to reddish brown or dark brown, often with darker stripes; it is distinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The grain is generally straight, texture fine and even; when fresh the wood has a sweetish smell. The wood is moderately heavy to heavy; it is moderately durable and resistant to termites. It air-dries satisfactorily but slowly; turned pieces used for precision equipment or musical instruments should be dried thoroughly to avoid distortion. Once dry, the wood is very stable in service. The wood works well, both with hand tools and machine tools; it finishes well, taking a beautiful polish; the nailing properties are moderate and pre-boring is needed; finishing with oil-based paint gives moderate results; the gluing properties are variable. The wood is much in demand for cabinet making, furniture, marquetry and parquet flooring. It is one of the favoured woods for musical instruments, especially guitars, not only because of its beautiful colour and venation, but also because of its clearness of tone. It is also suitable for interior trim, joinery, ship and boat building, vehicle bodies, precision equipment, carvings, toys and novelties, turnery, pattern making, veneer and plywood[].

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[].
Air layering has been successful on an experimental basis[].
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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