292 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



This may be the tree which yielded the so-called teak in 

 the Benin forests some years ago, and fetched a price of 5d. 

 per foot superficial. 



The bark scales off in a similar way to Afzelia Africana. 

 Afzelia bracteata (T. Vogel). Benin Bilinga. Ekpagoize (Benin). 



It has a red flower, is found in the Benin province, but is 

 apparently rather rare. 



The Benin name indicates that it is the Ekjiagoi or Berlinia 

 of the waterside. It is usually found near or on the bank of 

 a stream. It is a large tree, which is otherwise similar to the 

 other Afzelias. 



The natives have apparently not tried it for building pur- 



Afzelia Africana. Yoruba Bilinga. Apa (Yoruba) ; Olokokima, 

 Aligna (Benin) ; Ayibukpo (Efik) ; Adja, Arachi (Asaba Ibo). 



Trade Name. — Bilinga, similar wood from the French Congo, 

 so named for some years. 



It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin, Owerri, 

 Onitsha and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. 



The round, orange-coloured aril at the base of the black 

 nut is typical of this tree. It sometimes has a reddish tinge, 

 bxit it is always round and completely surrounds the base of 

 the nut, in contradistinction to A. cuanzensis, in which the 

 aril is red and pointed and much thinner in build. 



The spherically-shaped crown with its flattish top is most 

 typical of this tree. The largish leaves and the paucity of 

 their number make the foliage open, so that daylight can be 

 seen through it. In the distance it aj)pears dense. 



The sapwood is white, and the heartwood a rich oak- brown 

 colour. It is one of the most durable West African timbers. 

 It planes well and can be worked up with a good finish. It 

 does not split well. It is obtainable in logs up to 30 inches 

 square and 30 feet in length. 



Though slow in growth it would average that of many 

 European trees. It stands a good deal of shade in its youth, 

 but it is really more of a light lover than a shade-bearer. Self- 

 sown seedlings are few ; apparently rodents eat them. In a 

 similar way it is difficult to make a plantation, many being 

 eaten or dying in the transplanting. One of the most successful 

 methods evolved is that of sowing seeds in lines about 4 feet 

 apart ; a large number then come up and provide ample for a 

 crop on the same land. They are not transplanted. When of 

 middle age it will stand fire and the shade of the tree keeps 

 the ground moist. 



It is a soil-protecting and soil -improving tree ; good crops 



