Dalbergia xerophila
Bosser & R.Rabev.
Fabaceae
Common Name:
General Information
Dalbergia xerophila is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing up to 4 metres tall.
The wood is used traditionally to make the shafts of spears.
This species has a very restricted distribution and human activity has greatly fragmented and reduced its habitat. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
752- Title
- Adansonia Vol. 18
- Publication
- Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Tome 18
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle; Paris
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A botanical publication. It contains a monograph of the Madagascan species of the genus Dalbergia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
Africa - southwestern Madagascar.
Habitat
Dryland forest and bush scrub on sandy soils[
752- Title
- Adansonia Vol. 18
- Publication
- Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Tome 18
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle; Paris
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A botanical publication. It contains a monograph of the Madagascan species of the genus Dalbergia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Endangered |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Tree |
| Height | 3.00 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Found in the wild on sandy soils[
752- Title
- Adansonia Vol. 18
- Publication
- Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Tome 18
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle; Paris
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A botanical publication. It contains a monograph of the Madagascan species of the genus Dalbergia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Tolerant of dry and poor soils. Established plants are drought tolerant.
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 wood is a rosewood but of too small dimensions for cabinet making. It is used traditionally to make the shafts of spears[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
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[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
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[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
