TRADE NAME

PADOUK D’AFRIQUE

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub
  • P. osun Craib.
  • P. tinctorius Welw.

 

FAMILY

Fabaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

Central Africa

Nigeria : OSUN
Equat. Guinea : PALO ROJO
Cameroon : MBEL
Gabon : MBEL
Congo : KISESE
Zaire : N’GULA, MUKULA, MONGOLA
Angola : TACULA
Belgium :CORAIL
W. Germany : PADAUK
Great Britain : PADAUK, AFRICAN PADAUK, CAMWOOD, BARWOOD
Netherlands : PADOEK
Italy : PADUK

Pr. = FREQ. (Promotion) Ex. = OCC. ; Low

 

 

SAPWOOD

Whitish, clearly distinct, 10 – 20 cm

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Vivid red sometimes with dark veining, toning down on exposure
  • Grain : Straight to slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Coarse
  • Silver figure : –
  • White efflorescence covering the logs

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 900 – 1000
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (heavy) 770
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.43
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 5.3
  • Total radial swelling R% = 3.2
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 62
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 164
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 12300

 

 

END USE

  • Domestic flooring
  • Exterior joinery
  • Decorated interior joinery
  • Sliced veneers for decoration and cabinet works
  • High-class furniture
  • Knife handles and brush backs
  • Turnery
  • Boat building (decking) and dockwork
  • Carving

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Very durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Moderate
  • Other remarks :
    – Frequently named CAMWOOD in Nigeria. To avoid confusions, this name should be used only for Baphia nitida.
    – Possible defect = brittleheart.