Common Name:

General Information

Gilletiodendron mildbraedii is a tree that can grow from 30 - 45 metres tall. The usually straight and cylindrical bole can be unbranched for 11 - 20 metres; around 50 - 110cm in diameter; with winged buttresses that can be 2 - 6.5 metres high and 1 - 2 metres apart[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood.
The species is relatively widespread within the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as being found in Cameroon and the Central African Republic. Habitat loss and degradation are known to be occurring within its native range, but as yet it is not clear what affect this is having on the population stability of the species. The taxon does not meet any of the criteria for a threatened category and is thus classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Cameroon, Central African Republic, DR Congo.

Habitat

Forest on firm ground with Scorodophloeus zenkeri; sometimes island forest with lianes[]. Lowland rainforest, often near rivers[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	38.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is used in traditional medicine in DR Congo to treat syphilis[]..

Other Uses

The heartwood is reddish brown to chocolate brown, mottled and with a satiny shine; it is distinctly demarcated from the up to 8cm wide band of yellowish white sapwood. The grain is usually straight, occasionally slightly interlocked, texture fine. Quarter-sawn surfaces show some streaks. The wood is heavy, very hard, fairly durable, but is susceptible to the fungus Coniophora cerebella and to marine borer attacks. It air dries slowly, and shows a tendency of surface checking and sometimes also end splitting. The rates of shrinkage upon drying are high. Quarter-sawing is recommended before drying. Once dry, the wood is moderately stable in service. The wood saws rather easily but slowly due to its hardness; it has a serious blunting effect on saw teeth and working tools; it can be planed to a nice surface, and polishes well; pre-boring is recommended for nailing; bending properties are good. The wood is suitable for heavy construction, heavy flooring, joinery, interior trim, ship building, vehicle bodies, mine props, railway sleepers, handles, ladders, sporting goods, toys, novelties, agricultural implements, carving, turnery, veneer and plywood[].

Propagation

Seed -

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