390 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 
Apocynacee. 
Alstonia Congensis (Eng.). Pattern Wood, Stool Wood. Ahun, 
Awun, Ogudugbu (Yoruba); Ukhu (Benin); Ekuri Ebu (Ibo 
Owerri); Abo, Idu (Efik); Ofemm (Bembi); Etiap, Oguk 
(Oban, Ekoi). 
It is a large tree, growing up to a height of 100 feet and 
10 feet girth. The white lenticels on the bark are very typical 
of the tree, and give it the appearance of having a rust disease. 
The crown is formed of two or three whorls of branches and is 
very flat in old age. The tree grows always in whorls, though 
it may have more than one stem. In the distance the leaves 
appear to be digitate, but in reality three to seven are found to 
be growing out of the end of one stalk, all being much the same 
size. The crown is flatly umbrella-shaped. It has compara- 
tively few branches. The root flanges are slight, soon merging 
into the trunk. At the base of the bole, however, they are 
not absolutely round in shape, but have two or three large 
ridges, sometimes almost subdividing it. The slash is white, 
with yellow spots. A chalky white latex exudes when it is 
cut, rapidly running down the stem like a streak of whitewash. 
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin, Owerri, 
Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria in the evergreen and 
mixed deciduous forest zone. Itis a very common tree through- 
out this region and is usually found growing singly. 
The timber is white, there being little or no difference 
between sapwood and heartwood. When dry, it is very 
light and soft. It splits and planes easily, saws well, and 
takes nails easily. The grain is close and fine and very even 
in texture. Although dull, it works up to a smooth finish. 
It is attacked by termites. It is not durable in the open, but 
under cover it lasts quite well. In drying it is liable to shrink and 
warp a little, but with care this can be avoided. It seasons 
comparatively quickly. It cuts easily with a knife or chisel 
and might take the place of lime as a carving-wood. From 
its texture it should take stains very well. 
It is a very fast-growing, at first slightly shade-bearing 
and latterly a light-loving tree, which thoroughly protects 
the soil and enriches it with its leaf fall. Natural regeneration 
appears to be good, as it sprouts well from the stump. It 
seems to like a good soil with plenty of moisture, and will 
even withstand floods. It is not fire-resisting. The crown 
and branches are liable to be broken with a high wind. 
In 1906,samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool 
market as a whitewood, but it was considered to be of no value. 
