380 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 
tinguish them from those of the Dwarf Red Ironwood. The 
under surface of the leaf is whitish, sometimes almost grey ; the 
flowers are white and come out in December ; the fruit is like 
a small green plum and ripens in May. The leaves persist 
over one season. The green pericarp covering the nut 
can be eaten and is not unpleasant to the taste. The nut 
itself is not unlike a chestnut in its being brown and shiny ; the 
shape, however, is more oval, with one comparatively sharp 
. ridge. 
The sapwood is white and comparatively wide ; the heart- 
wood is a rich dark-red colour; it is very hard and durable ; 
it is termite-proof; it splits very badly, does not take nails 
well; it is hard to plane and is sawn none too easily. It does 
not warp or crack to any extent while it is seasoning under 
proper conditions ; it burns with great heat, but rather less 
than in the case of Emido. 
It is a rather slow-growing tree, with soil-protecting and soil- 
improving qualities ; as a light-loving species takes up a good 
deal of space. Natura] regeneration appears to be poor, and may 
be due to the fact that the flowers appear, or before the young 
fruit has only just set, as the annual grass-fires run through 
the open deciduous forests where this tree is found. On the 
other hand, root suckers grow in great profusion. It also sprouts 
well from the stump. It is one of the most fire-resisting trees, 
and the thick bark no doubt protects it from its worst ravages. 
It may be considered one of the most typical trees of the drier 
parts of the open deciduous forests. A few sample plots have 
been tried with this tree, but it does not stand transplanting 
at all well. Rodents such as the cut-grass (ground pig) are 
very fond of the nuts, and no doubt destroy a great number 
whilst they are germinating. Fire-protecting root suckers and 
other young trees have thus far proved the most effective method 
of increasing the number of mature trees. It does not appear 
to be very exacting as to soil, but no doubt the growth is best 
on moist alluvial flats so long as they are well drained. 
Locally the most valuable part of the tree is the nut, from 
which the Shea butter is boiled out after three days; it is a 
general article of diet instead of palm oil, in those districts 
where the latter is hard to obtain. Locally, also, the largest 
trees are cut down and made into mortars for beating food ; 
these fetch a price of 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. apiece; they are con- 
sidered not only the most suitable, but also the most durable, 
except those made of the wood of the Oil Bean (Pentaclethra 
macrophylla). In other places it is used as a house-building 
timber. 
