Friday 14 June 2013

Khaya senegalensis


Khaya senegalensis is a tree of the Meliaceae family native to tropical and savannah Africa.

It is commonly known as African mahogany, Gambia mahogany, and Senegal mahogany.  The timber of Khaya is called African mahogany, the only timber widely accepted as mahogany besides the true mahogany ( Swietenia mahogany ).

The leaves are pinnate.  Flowers are small, yellowish, loose inflorescences, 4-petals.  Fruit is a capsule with 4 globose, dehiscent.  Seeds winged.

Khaya senegalensis is a fast growing tree, capable to grow up to 30 meters in height within years.  The wood is harvested for carpentry, construction, dugout canoes, etc.  the bitter tasting bark is used as folk medicine for fever, stomach aches, headaches etc.

Although K. senegalensis is widely planted for commercial and landscaping, it is still considered a vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

flower, yellowish in loose inflorescence

fruit capsule, dehiscent  while attached to tree

fruit capsules, dehiscent showing winged seeds inside

winged seeds




7 comments:

Unknown said...

Need khaya seeds

Unknown said...

Need khaya seeds

Ongzi said...

dear unknown, pls make your identity known, and your location.

Ammiraju Golakoti said...

Need khaya seeds

Ongzi said...

sorry unknown, i dont collect/distribute khaya seeds

Unknown said...

Dear Ongzi, I read your Khaya Senegalensis blog a while ago. I have made a video process drawing Botanical Art about it. Just want to say thanks because of your sharing & experience. It help me a lot! Hope I can read more about species from you!
I can't find your gmail so I leave a comment!
Thank you so much ❤️
👉Link video (Vietsub), I will update Engsub soon :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXE-LMDchCU

Ongzi said...

hi Unknown
i love the video on botanical illustration on northfolkpine.
i think its very inspiring.
botanical illustration is the best art, true-to-type-art, best-to--present God's creation in its true form.
thank you again for the video.

ongjyhseng@gmail.com