Transvaal stinkwood, stinkhout
Ocotea kenyensis

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

Threatened by habitat loss, Ocotea kenyensis is an evergreen tree growing about 30 m in height, with a rounded crown and many branches. Its bole is commonly straight, branchless for up to 8 m, and about 100 cm in diameter. The bark is chewed to treat diarrhea and its decoction is used to treat cough. The wood of this species is moderately heavy and durable and ideal for flooring, furniture, carving, panelling, joinery, light construction, etc. It is also used as fuel and charcoal.

Ocotea kenyensis is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 18 m (59ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 20

Where it is found

A canopy tree in evergreen rainforest at elevations from 1,100 - 2,600 metres.

Tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Sudan, eastern DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, S. Africa.

Conservation Status: Status: Vulnerable A1cd

Countries/locations it is found in

R.Wilczek Congo, The Democratic Republic of the; Ethiopia; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Rwanda; South Africa; South Sudan; Sudan; Swaziland; Tanzania, United Republic of; Uganda; Zimbabwe

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

A bark decoction is used in traditional medicine as an antitussive. The bark is chewed to treat diarrhoea.

Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.

Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.

Other

Rating: 4

Other Uses The heartwood is pale golden brown to dark brown, with blackish markings. The grain is often wavy; texture moderately fine; lustrous. The wood is moderately heavy; fairly durable and moderately resistant to termite and marine borer attacks, but susceptible to Lyctus attack. It saws and works satisfactorily with both hand and machine tools, but picking up of grain at the surfaces may occur; sharp cutting edges are recommended to obtain surfaces with a nice finish; gluing properties are satisfactory; the wood slices and peels well. The heartwood is moderately resistant to impregnation by preservatives. The wood is used for flooring, panelling, furniture and carving. It is suitable for light construction, joinery, interior trim, vehicle bodies, handles, ladders, sporting goods, toys, novelties, turnery, veneer and plywood. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal.

Charcoal: Used for fuel, drawing, deodorant, filter, fertilizer etc.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Coppice: A traditional method of woodland management which exploits the capacity of many species of trees to put out new shoots from their stump or roots if cut down.

How it is grown

A plant of moderate to higher elevations in the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,600 metres. The mean annual rainfall in the area of distribution ranges from 1,500 - 2,200mm. The tree grows fairly rapidly. Trees respond well to coppicing.

Propagating it: Seed - needs to be sown when fresh. The seed is sensitive to desiccation, but can be stored for a short period in moist sawdust. Propagation by root suckers is easy; these are often produced abundantly.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Transvaal stinkwood - English, stinkhout - Afrikaans

Synonyms

Ocotea gardneri Hutch. & M.B.Moss Ocotea viridis Kosterm. Tylostemon kenyensis Chiov.