Common Name:

General Information

Pterocarpus zenkeri is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall[].
The tree is very rare in the wild, and possibly extinct. Though it is still potentially harvested from the wild for its good quality timber.
Pterocarpus zenkeri is only known from two locations, with a combined area of occupancy of 8 square kilometers. The species has probably been lost from the type locality and is declining at the other due to logging activities. The plant is currently classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2015)[]. Efforts are required to relocate this species. If not found it will need to be reassessed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) or as Extinct. The taxonomic status of this species also needs investigation[].

Known Hazards

The dry sawdust may cause irritation to skin, nose and bronchi[].

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Cameroon

Habitat

Lowland forest; at elevations around 700 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	18.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

We have no specific information on the wood from this species. However, since this species resembles a valued and well-known timber tree (Pterocarpus soyauxii), there is every chance that trees have been felled in error. It may also be that Pterocarpus zenkeri has equally, or more valuable, timber[]. The properties of Pterocarpus soyauxii wood are as follows:-.
The heartwood is bright red when freshly cut, becoming orange-red on exposure and darkening to purple-brown; it is distinctly demarcated from the 6 0 20cm wide band of whitish to brownish yellow sapwood. The grain is straight to interlocked; the texture coarse; the wood has a faint aromatic scent when freshly cut. The wood is moderately heavy to heavy; hard to very hard; very durable being resistant to fungi, Lyctus beetles, termites and marine borers. It seasons somewhat slowly, but with only a slight risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is stable in service. It is moderately difficult to work, having a fairly high blunting effect - stellite-tipped sawteeth and tungsten carbide cutting tools are recommended; it takes a good finish, but sometimes with some tearing of interlocked grain; slicing does not cause problems; nailing and screwing are good, but pre-boring is advisable; gluing properties are good. A valuable multipurpose hardwood, because of its resistance to water it is used locally to make canoes and because of its beautiful reddish colour it is favoured for carving and sculpturing, high class furniture, cabinet making, knife and tool handles, traditional hair combs, walking sticks and musical instruments. The wood has a high resonance quality as its damping of vibrations is low - in the past large telegraph slit drums and war drums, as well as xylophones, have been made from it. It is currently used also for ‘Western music’ xylophones and increasingly tried for the back and sides of guitars. Because of its high durability the wood is excellent for construction, carpentry, outdoor joinery, flooring, staircases, railway sleepers and boats but also for veneer, inlay, billiard tables, toys, joinery, dowels, shuttles, bobbins, spindles, sporting goods and paddles. As the wood is resistant to marine borers it was used in temperate regions for marine constructions such as piers and sluice gates[, ].
The wood is also used as fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -

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