Common Name:

General Information

Pterocarpus tinctorius is an evergreen or deciduous tree with a roundish or flat, spreading crown[]. It grows 5 - 30 metres tall with a bole that can be branchless for up to 15 metres and is about 30cm in diameter[, ].
A very popular timber in its native range, the wood is also exported in small quantities[]. The tree is sometimes planted to provide shade[].
Pterocarpus tinctorius hast a large extent of occurrence and can be locally common, although overall population size is not known. The population is considered to be in decline as a result of harvesting for its timber. The timber is currently in high demand in local markets and it is predicted that in the future its international demand could increase as other Pterocarpus timber species become rare or protected. Some areas within the species range are protected and well managed and the species is found in the large, yet under utilized forest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

The sawdust may cause irritation to workers[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Angola, Zaire, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique.

Habitat

Wooded grassland, Brachystegia and Acacia woodlands, dry evergreen thickets, riverine forest and moister areas; on rocky hills, plateaux and scarps, on stony soils; termite mounds; at elevations from 50 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of the tropical moist zone where there is a distinct dry season.

A very variable species[].
A slow-growing tree, it is estimated to take up to 90 years to reach maturity[].
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

A bark decoction is used as a rectal washing to treat lung congestion in children[].

Other Uses

The reddish dye from the wood and roots has been used for colouring the body[, ].

The heartwood is pale yellow when freshly cut, turning to pinkish red upon exposure, and distinctly demarcated from the whitish, 7.5 - 10cm wide sapwood[]. The grain is often interlocked; texture moderately fine; irregular, small, dark red or brown markings are present on tangential surfaces. The wood usually dries well with little deformation. The wood saws and works well, and can be planed to a smooth surface; it holds nails and screws well and is generally not liable to splitting. When a filler is used it finishes well. The wood is moderately durable to durable; the lighter wood is liable to termite attack and slightly liable to Lyctus attack, but heavier wood is not. It is moderately resistant to impregnation with preservatives[]. The red, mahogany-like wood is one of the most beautiful of all cabinet woods. It is popular for furniture, cabinet making and decorative parquet floors. It is also suitable for light construction, joinery, interior trim, boxes, crates, tool handles, carving, turnery, veneer, plywood, hardboard, particle board, and pulpwood for lower-quality paper production[, ].
It is used as firewood and for making charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed -

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