334 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



by the Benin people. It is, however, rather doubtful if it 

 is really a different species from R. Rautenii. 



Native Use. — It is used in much the same way as the other 

 two species. 

 Uapaca Heudelotii. Mahogany. Yeye (Yoruba) ; Oyen (Benin) ; 

 He (Bonny and New Calabar). 



It is found in the Owerri and Yoruba provinces of Nigeria. 

 With its slightly curved trunk and large mass of widespreading 

 aerial roots, extending almost to a quarter up the height of 

 the tree, it is distinguishable from other trees of this zone. 

 Usually found growing near water, or in regions that are flooded 

 periodically. It sends out fresh red-coloured aerial roots. The 

 leaves are somewhat shiny and give a greyish appearance in 

 the distance. The bark is finely fissured and dark brown. 

 Often covered with moss at the base. It attains a girth of 

 about 10 feet and a bole length of about 25 feet. 



It is a somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing tree. It 

 protects the soil and enriches it with the fall of its leaves. 

 Its mass of aerial roots tends to moderate the speed of the 

 flooded river and holds the banks up, preventing corrosion, 

 and in many cases tends to help the formation of higher and 

 more solid banks, owing to the deposit of sand between and 

 near the network of aerial roots. 



The timber is very similar to mahogany in grain, though 

 a little harder. It has considerable elasticitj\ It is finely 

 fibrous, and does not plane up with such a smooth finish, nor 

 does it split well. It is termite-resisting and moderately 

 tough. It saws with difficulty. The sapwood is stained with 

 reddish colouring matter, and the heartwood is a dull red- 

 brown. The pores in the timber are longer, and resemble 

 mahogany in this respect ; though, being fibrous to the touch, 

 the difference is shown. 



The timber has not been exported, nor has it been sawn 

 up for local use. Occasionally it is used by the natives for 

 house-building, and some of the crooked roots and branches 

 are used as ribs for boats and building up canoes. 

 Uapaca Guineensis (Much, and Arg.). False Mahogany. Abo 

 Emido, also known as Yeye and Yere (Yoruba) ; Onye (Benin). 



Chief Characteristics. — Large aerial roots supporting the 

 bole at a height of 8 to 10 feet from the ground. When 

 cut, the slash is red ; the sapwood is whitish, tinged with 

 the red colouring matter of the heartwood, which is a 

 dull red. 



Distribution. — Banks of the Ogun, Olokemeji Forest Reserve. 



In most respects the timber is similar to that of Heudelottii. 



