AFROMOSIA

BOTANICAL NAMES

Afromosia elata Harms
Pericopsis elata Meeuv
Member of the Leguminosae - Papilionatae family

COMMERCIAL NAMES

Afromosia - Italy
Kokrodua - Germany
Kokrodua, Afromosia - England
Assamela - France
Mohole - Netherlands

NATIVE NAMES

Ayin, Egbi, Elo uta - Nigeria
Ejen - Cameroon
Bohalala, Ole, Wahala - Rep. of Congo
Other names: Redbark, Mobole, Gold teak, Walola, Mokolè

SPECIES APPLICATIONS/ USES

CONSTRUCTION - EXTERIOR DOORS - GARDEN FURNITURE - WINDOWS - PARQUET - PANELS - VENEER - NAVAL CONSTRUCTION - STAIRS

RANGE

From the coast of Guinea, through Congo and the Ivory Coast to Ghana.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The sapwood is whitish, dense, and has a tendency to yellow. The heartwood is yellowish brown with darker veining. It has a rather fine texture and almost regular grain. The species has a pleasing decorative appearance and has long been used as a substitute for teak in Scandinavian-style furniture.
It easily lends itself to kiln-drying, and if this process is performed slowly and carefully, it offers excellent results.
It is a rather hard, compact wood that is easy to work and offers an excellent shine after simple polishing.

SPECIFIC WEIGHT

The specific weight of air-dried sawn timber ranges from 700 to 800 kg per cubic meter.

PRINCIPAL USES AND PROCESSING TECHNIQUES

The species is commonly used in all transformation industries: from mosaic parquets to boat furnishings. Even in outdoor applications, its resistance to the elements makes it quite useful,