322 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



than its " confreres." The leaves are small, very grey, specially 

 on the under -surface, giving them almost the character of 

 Eucalyptus leaves. The bole is shorter than the other Khayas, 

 with a slightly scaly bark and only a small thickening of the 

 base and no root buttresses at all. The bark is darker than 

 Khaya Punchii, though the scales are often grey. The capsule 

 is almost frequently four-sectioned, though this is not an 

 absolute rule, as other Khayas have been found bearing cap- 

 sules dividing into three, four and five sections. It does not 

 exude gum so readily as Khaya Punchii, and the gum is of 

 a redder colour. Illustration No. 67 shows the lower part 

 of the bole of a tree 10 feet in gii'th. 



Distribution. — It grows on the banks of the Ogun River 

 above the Iseyin-Oyo Road, Ibadan province, Akure, Benin 

 and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. It is found as one of the most 

 prevalent trees near Obudu and in the Onitsha province north 

 of Ogrugu. 



Timber. — It is of redder brown colour than either Khaya 

 Punchii or grandis, and has a greater sheen. The texture of 

 wood is a little closer, and, owing to the annual grass -fires 

 burning the stem, is slightly figured. Logs could not be cut 

 much more than 20 feet in length, owing to the bole not always 

 being straight, though the large branches would make small 

 ones and curls. 



Silvicultural Qualities. — It stands a great deal of drought, 

 though in its drier area of distribution it is usually to be found 

 near river banks. The seed keeps a high percentage of ger- 

 mination for some months after being picked. It demands 

 more light than either of the other Khaj'as, and grows freely 

 from the beginning. It has also a greater tendency to branch 

 than the other Khayas, but this may be due to its being 

 attacked more by the leading-shoot borer than the other species, 

 as more of these insects are found in the open than in the 

 mixed forests. It is almost gregarious, as groups of trees 

 are usually found together. 

 Khaya sp. Orro (Yoruba) ; Geduloha (Benin). 



This tree is found in the Ilaro district of the Abeokuta 

 province. There appears to be some doubt as to whether 

 this is really a distinct species, but the fact remains that the 

 wood is very much darker and of rather a duller colour than 

 most of the other Khayas. It shows also a very rich, wide 

 roe, and in this respect the wood is more valuable than that 

 of many other species. It is somewhat similar to the best 

 counter-top wood obtained from the Entandrophragmas. It 

 does not appear to be a very common tree, but it attains a girth 



