Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Khaya senegalensis A.Juss. (MELIACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Dry Zone Mahogany, Senegal Mahogany, African Mahogany, Senegal Khaya, Bisselon

Description

Large evergreen or sometimes deciduous tree in drier climates, to 30m tall, with large, rounded crown. Leaves up to 25cm long, pinnately compound without a terminal leaflet, 3�6 leaflets on each side of rachis. Flowers small, c. 1cm across, cream to white, in branched clusters to 20cm long. Fruits 4�6cm across, globose, woody capsule dehiscing into 4 valves when ripe.

Ecology

Riverine forests and higher rainfall savannah woodland.

Distribution

Senegal to Sudan and Uganda.

Uses

Important timber tree, highly valued for furniture and construction. Heartwood an attractive dark red-brown timber, often with a purple tint. Widely planted as a street tree in SE Asia.