Andramena, Volombodipona, Violet rosewood
Dalbergia louvelii
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
Dalbergia louvelii is a deciduous tree about 20 m in height found in Africa specifically in eastern Madagascar. It produces valuable rosewood for export but due to overexploitation, it has been classified as an endangered species. It has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria that form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. The heartwood is used in the treatment of bilharzia and malaria. It is very heavy and very hard and preferred in making cabinets, furniture, marquetry, and parquet flooring. It is also used in musical instrument, carvings, turnings, and for tombs.
Dalbergia louvelii is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 15
Where it is found
Lowland evergreen forest and coastal forest at elevations up to 700 metres. It occurs on ferrallitic or sandy soils.
Africa - eastern Madagascar.
Conservation Status: Status: Endangered A1cd+2cd
Countries/locations it is found in
Madagascar
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The heartwood is used in traditional medicine to treat bilharzia and malaria. Several flavonoids have been isolated from the heartwood, some of which showed antiplasmodial activity.
Malaria: Treats malaria - an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites spread to people through the bites of mosquitos.
Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in
Other
Rating: 4
Other Uses: The heartwood is purplish red, becoming purplish black upon drying. The texture is fine and even, and the wood has a beautiful polish. It is very heavy and very hard. The wood is much in demand for cabinet making, furniture, marquetry and parquet flooring. It is one of the favoured woods for musical instruments and is locally in high demand for carving and turning. It has been used traditionally for tombs.
Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.
Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
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.
Propagating it: Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Volombodipona à grandes feuilles - French, andramena - Malagasy, hendramena - Malagasy, volombodipona - Malagasy, volombodipona vavy - Malagasy, madagaskisk violpalisander - Swedish.