THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 373 
Combretum mucronatum. Okan pupa (Yoruba). 
It is found in the Mamu Forest. 
Combretum Zenkeri. Ogan (Yoruba). 
It is found in the Yoruba country. 
Combretum micranthum. Okan (Yoruba). 
It is found in the Yoruba country. 
Combretum glutinosum. 
Combretum paucinervium. 
Combretum Hartmannium. 
These are climbing Combretums found in the Yoruba 
country. 
Anogeissus leiocarpus (G. and P.). Yoruba Chew-stick. Ayin 
(Yoruba). 
Distribution.—It is found in the Oyo and Abeokuta provinces 
of Nigeria. 
_ Chief Characteristics.—This tree reaches a height of about 
70 feet in favourable localities and a girth of 9 feet. With 
its birch-like foliage and the drooping and sweeping of the 
pendulous branches in old age, it is certainly the ‘‘ Lady ” 
of the African ‘‘ open woods.”’ The little spherical fruits cover 
the ground in the early part of the dry season. The com- 
paratively smooth bole, giving way to small scales of light- 
brown bark as the tree gets older, is a typical feature. It is 
often forked, especially low down. The bole is thin and slender 
in build, with upward tending branches, also very slender in 
build, but dark in colour. A blackish gum exudes when it 
is cut. The slash is yellow before the gum runs out. 
Timber.—The sapwood is yellowish-white and the heart- 
wood dark-brown to almost black in some specimens. It is 
hard, durable and termite-proof. It does not plane nor split 
well, takes nails with difficulty, but saws fairly easily. 
Silvicultural Qualities—It is a light-loving species, though 
in its youth it will stand a little shade. It is one of the first 
trees to appear on disused land, so long as the soil is good. 
‘Its foliage is a little acid, as it kills all grass, even Ekon, and 
for this purpose is invaluable as a tree for admixture with 
more valuable species. It is somewhat exacting as to soil. 
Once it gets started after being planted, or as a self-sown 
seedling on good soil, it is a rapid-growing tree, which is only 
hindered in its growth by the annually recurring grass-fires. 
Wherever it is protected it develops into a straight-boled, large 
tree. The branches are very persistent, so that close planting 
is most necessary. Several plantations have been made with 
this tree. 
Utility—The tree is burnt for its ashes for fixing native 
