East Africa Mahogany tree, Red mahogany tree
Khaya antotheca

Family: Meliaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 60 m tall. The trunk is 3 m around. It has a straight trunk and buttresses. The bark is smooth and pale with green patches. The branches are stout and the crown is round. The leaves are compound with leaflets along the stalk. There are 2-4 pairs of leaflets and they are 15 cm long by 8 cm wide. They are papery. The flowers are small and white.The fruit are woody capsules with 4 valves. They have a narrow wing.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in deep fertile soils and along river banks. It grows in wet evergreen forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Angola, Asia, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Indonesia, Liberia, Malawi, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, West Africa (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Bark - spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds. It needs light to grow.

Its other names

Local names

Mbawa, Pohon mahoni merah

Synonyms

Garretia anthoteca Welw.;