Entandrophragma
| Entandrophragma | |
|---|---|
| |
| Sapele tree | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Meliaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cedreloideae |
| Genus: | Entandrophragma C. DC. |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
Entandrophragma is a genus of twelve known species of deciduous trees in the family Meliaceae.
Description[]
Entandrophragma is restricted to tropical Africa.[1][2] At least some of the species attain large sizes, reaching 40–50 m tall, exceptionally 60 m, and 2 m in trunk diameter. In 2016 a specimen of Entandrophragma excelsum towering more than 80 m was identified at Kilimanjaro.[3]
It is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants.[4] The leaves are pinnate, with 5-9 pairs of leaflets, each leaflet 8–10 cm long with an acuminate tip. The flowers are produced in loose inflorescences, each flower small, with five yellowish petals about 2 mm long, and ten stamens. The fruit is a five-valved capsule containing numerous winged seeds.
Species[]
- Entandrophragma angolense - Tiama (Welw.) C.DC.
- Harms ex Engl.
- - Kosipo Harms
- Entandrophragma caudatum (Sprague) Sprague
- (De Wild.) A.Chev.
- Entandrophragma cylindricum - Sapelli or Sapele (Sprague) Sprague
- De Wild.
- Entandrophragma excelsum (Dawe & Sprague) Sprague
- Staner
- A.Chev.
- (C.DC.) Sprague
- Entandrophragma utile - Sipo or Utile (Dawe & Sprague) Sprague
Uses[]
The timber of a few species is traded as a tropical hardwood. It is sometimes termed under the generic label of mahogany, and while Entandrophragma is part of the family Meliaceae, it is not classified as genuine mahogany. The species shares many of the characteristics of genuine mahogany and is used as an alternative, with Sapele and Utile in particular bearing a close resemblance.[5][6]
References[]
- ^ Klaus Kubitzki (10 December 2010). Flowering Plants. Eudicots: Sapindales, Cucurbitales, Myrtaceae. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 194–. ISBN 978-3-642-14397-7.
- ^ Entandrophragma C. DC. in Bull. Herb. Boissier 2:582 t.21 (1894)
- ^ "Africa's tallest tree measuring 81m found on Mount Kilimanjaro".
- ^ James W. Byng (Oct 16, 2014). The Flowering Plants Handbook: A practical guide to families and genera of the world. Plant Gateway Ltd. ISBN 978-0992999315.
- ^ Utile. Niche Timbers. Accessed 20-09-2009.
- ^ Mahogany Mixups: the Lowdown - The Wood Database
External links[]
- Tiama Entandrophragma angolense
- Kosipo Entandrophragma candollei
- Sapeli Entandrophragma cylindricum
- Sipo (Utile) Entandrophragma utile
- Entandrophragma
- Flora of Africa
- Meliaceae genera
- Dioecious plants