African mahogany is a fast-growing medium-sized tree which can obtain a height of up to

15–30 m in height and 1 m in diameter. The bark is dark grey to grey-brown while the
heartwood is brown with a pink-red pigment made up of coarse interlocking grains. The tree
is characterised by leaves arranged in a spiral formation clustered at the end of branches. The
white flowers are sweet-scented; the fruit changes from grey to black when ripening.

Distribution and habitat[edit]

The tree is native to 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. It is found in riparian forests and higher-rainfall savannah
woodlands; in moist regions it is found on higher ground. Within its first year, the seedling
develops a deep root system that makes it the most drought resistant member of its genus.

Uses[edit]
The wood is used for a variety of purposes. It is often used conventionally for carpentry,
interior trim, and construction. Traditionally the wood was used for dugout canoes, household
implements, djembe, and fuel wood. The bitter tasting bark is used for a variety of medical
purposes; it is taken against fever caused by malaria, stomach complaints, and headaches. It
is applied externally to cure skin rashes, wounds, or any abnormality. It has been exported
from West Africa (Gambia) to Europe since the first half of the 19th century and has been
exploited heavily for its timber. It is now used more locally, and is planted ornamentally as a
roadside tree.

Conservation and threats[edit]

Khaya senegalensis has experienced high amounts of exploitation, and little regeneration
takes place once disturbance occurs. Because of this the IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species considers it a vulnerable species. The only conservation which takes place are log
export bans and legal protection in some countries.

Khaya senegalensis - MHNT

 
Khaya senegalensis - MHNT

Khaya senegalensis near Mount Tenakourou in Burkina Faso

References[edit]
1. ^ World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). "Khaya senegalensis". IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species. 1998: e.T32171A9684583.
doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T32171A9684583.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.

 Northern Tropical Timbers - Khaya Fast Growing African Mahogany Trees.

 Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A.Juss. at the Wayback Machine (archived November 6,
2011) at Protabase Record display
 Khaya senegalensis at the Wayback Machine (archived October 28, 2012) at
AgroForestryTree Database