Khaya senegalensis is a species of tree in the family Meliaceae. Native to Africa, it is widely known by common names such as: - African mahogany - Dry zone mahogany - Gambia mahogany - Khaya wood - Senegal mahogany - Cailcedrat - Acajou - Djalla - Bois rouge
Description
African mahogany is a fast-growing, medium-sized tree, reaching:
- 15–30 m (49–98 ft) in height
- Up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in diameter
Key characteristics: - Bark: Dark grey to grey-brown - Heartwood: Brown with pink-red pigment and coarse interlocking grains - Leaves: Spiral arrangement, clustered at branch ends - Flowers: White, sweet-scented - Fruit: Ripens from grey to black
Distribution and Habitat
Native Range: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Habitat: - Found in riparian forests and high-rainfall savannah woodlands - In moist regions, it prefers higher ground - Develops a deep root system within the first year, making it the most drought-resistant member of its genus
Uses
Medicinal Research
Extensive studies have examined the trypanocidal activity of Khaya senegalensis: - Studies: Atawodi et al. (2003), Wurochekke & Nok (2004), Mikail (2009), Aderbauer et al. (2008), Umar et al. (2010), Adeiza et al. (2010), Ibrahim et al. (2008, 2013a) - Tested Against: T. evansi, T. congolense, T. b. brucei - Results: Promising in vitro and in vivo effects, including effective dose findings
Timber and Traditional Use
- Conventional uses: Carpentry, interior trim, general construction
- Traditional uses: Dugout canoes, household tools, fuelwood, djembe drums
- Bark uses:
- Orally: For fever (malaria), stomach issues, headaches
- Topically: For skin rashes, wounds, and other abnormalities
Historical export: From Gambia to Europe since the early 19th century
Current use: More local and ornamental (e.g., roadside trees)
Conservation and Threats
- Status: Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List
- Reason: High exploitation and low natural regeneration following disturbance
- Protection Measures:
- Log export bans
- Legal protections in some regions
References
- Northern Tropical Timbers - Khaya Fast Growing African Mahogany Trees
- Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A.Juss. at the Wayback Machine Protabase Record (Archived Nov 6, 2011)
- Khaya senegalensis at the Wayback Machine AgroForestryTree Database (Archived Oct 28, 2012)