76 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



Spondias lutea. 



A tall, glabrous tree, with yellow, plum-like fruits, which 

 are edible. They are often made into a refreshing drink. The 

 wood bright-coloured and hard ; it has the useful qualitj^ of 

 growing when put in as fence posts. 



Sapindaceae. 



Blighia sapida. Akee. 



A useful shade tree near dwellings, growing to the height 

 of 97| feet. Wood light yellow in colour. 

 Allophyllus Africana. 



A small, common tree with hard, blackish fruit, growing 

 along the coast of Grand Basa ; wood useful in many ways. 

 Dodoncea viscosa. 



A small tree having viscid branchlets saturated with resin, 

 which serve as torches. The wood is used for engraving and 

 in turnery. 



Malvaceae. 



Gossyjnum Peruvianum. Kidney-tree Cotton. 



These African cotton-plants are still imperfectly known. 

 Probably used locally. 



Bombacaceae. 



Eriodendron anfractuosum. Cotton Tree. 



Grows to the height of 160 feet. Smooth, bright grey 

 bark, having cracked appearance. Wood not of much value 

 in commerce. Handsome, brilliant crimson flowers. 

 Bombax Buonopozense. Red Cotton Tree. 



A large deciduous tree, often attaining 102 feet in height, 

 with tuberculate, prickly bark and scarlet flowers with firm, 

 velvety petals. Wood of little value in commerce. 



Sterculiaceae. 



StercuUa oblonga. Yellow Wood. 



A tree of medium height, the wood soft, and fibre strong 

 and tough. Exudes gum. 

 StercuUa sp. 



Fruit edible, the oily seeds used medicinally. 

 Triplochiton. 



Fruit winged, flowers panicled, leaves ragged. 



