Baphia nitida (PROSEA)
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Introduction |
Baphia nitida Lodd.
- Family: Leguminosae
Vernacular names
- Camwood, barwood (En).
Distribution
Native of western tropical Africa. Formerly cultivated as a dyewood, especially in Sierra Leone; rarely planted in botanical gardens in South-East Asia.
Uses
The heartwood is used for dyeing cotton and wool red. The plant is also used for hedges, and the leaves as fodder. The wood is suited for turnery.
Observations
A shrub or small tree up to 10 m tall. The principal dyeing substance in the wood is santalin. Camwood is reportedly easy to cultivate, and can be propagated by seeds and cuttings. It may have potential as a dye plant in South-East Asia.
Selected sources
12, 17, 28, 31, 49.