Camwood, African sandalwood tree
Baphia nitida
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 10 m high and the trunk is 45 cm across. It can have many stems. The branches are slender and curve over like an umbrella. The leaves are alternate and narrowly oval or oblong. They are 10-15 cm long. The flowers are in the axils of leaves with 1-4 flowers. The flowers are white with yellow centre. The fruit is a flattened pod 10-15 cm long.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows as an under-storey tree in wetter parts and rain-forest in West Africa. It grows up to 600 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa (country/location of origin), Asia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Gabon, Guinea, Guinée, Indonesia, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, West Africa
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
Plants are grown by seeds and by cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Dolo, Doro, Pohon cendana afrika