Common Name:

General Information

Pericopsis angolensis is a deciduous shrub or tree with a rounded crown; it usually grows from 10 - 20 metres tall, but sometimes barely exceeds 3 metres, whilst exceptional specimens up to 27 metres have also been recorded. The bole is often curved or twisted, it can be free of branches for up to 7.5 metres, and up to 100cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is often harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. Pericopsis angolensis produces an excellent quality timber, but the trees often occur too scattered or their boles are too small or poorly shaped for commercial exploitation, except in Mozambique, where they are locally of some importance for the timber market. The wood is traded in small amounts on the international timber market[].
Pericopsis angolensis is widespread and locally common, and not threatened. However, in several areas it has become vulnerable because of overexploitation, e.g. In Malawi where the boles are much collected for poles and firewood, and the roots and bark for local medicine. In these areas larger trees are difficult to find, whereas inferior trees predominate in the remaining populations[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - southern DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique.

Habitat

Deciduous woodland (Brachystegia or Combretum and Terminalia associations), wooded grassland; in bushy stony places; at elevations from 200 - 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Trees are sensitive to frost[].

Plants respond well to coppicing, although they often produce a large number of small shoots[].
For firewood production, a coppice rotation of 5 years is possible, but for poles and certainly for larger sizes of timber much longer rotation cycles are needed[].
The trees are fire resistant[].
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

The roots, bark and leaves are commonly used in traditional medicine in Africa[].

The roots are abortifacient, aphrodisiac and tonic. A decoctions is used to stimulate the blood circulation, and to treat conditions such as diarrhoea, bronchial and chest complaints, nausea, and eye problems[].
The dried and powdered root is applied externally to relieve pain, and to treat oedema and tumours[].

A decoction or maceration of the bark is taken to treat diarrhoea, sore throat and toothache, and as an eye bath[].

The leaf sap is drunk as an anthelmintic[]. A lef decoction is inhaled as a vapour bath as a treatment for headaches[].
The dried and powdered leaves are applied externally as a treatment for headaches[].

Agroforestry Uses:

It has been reported that the occurrence of Pericopsis angolensis trees in Malawi is an indication of fairly fertile soil[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is greenish brown, turning dark brown to almost black upon drying; it is distinctly demarcated from the up to 25mm wide band of whitish to yellowish grey sapwood. The grain is interlocked; texture moderately fine; the wood is strikingly banded or shows a whorled figure; it is oily to the touch. The wood is heavy, very hard, very durable and resistant to fungi, termites and all wood borers including marine borers. It is also highly resistant to abrasive action and chemicals. It air dries very slowly but with little degrade, except slight surface checking. The rates of shrinkage are low; once dry it is moderately stable in service. The wood is difficult to saw and work because of its high density; it is rather difficult to plane and a cutting angle of 20% is recommended, but it has a smooth finish; it holds nails and screws well, but pre-boring is necessary; gluing, staining and polishing do not cause problems. The wood turns well; bending properties are moderate. In Malawi, where the wood is considered the most durable native wood, remains of hoes have been found that were at least 90 years old. Traditionally, the extremely durable wood is highly esteemed for making hoes and pestles, and for the rims and hubs of wagon wheels. Commercially, the wood is used for flooring and panelling, and it is also suitable for heavy construction, railway sleepers, mine props, ship building, vehicle bodies, fence poles, vats, interior trim, joinery, furniture, cabinet work, handles, ladders, agricultural implements, sporting goods, musical instruments, toys, novelties, precision equipment, carvings and turnery. In Zimbabwe it is one of the most important trees for poles used in local house construction[].
The wood is used as a fuel - it is difficult to light, but produces great heat and little ash. It also makes excellent charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed -

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