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baphia

Scientific Name: Baphia

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Baphia nitida (Camwood, Barwood, African Sandalwood)

Baphia nitida, also known as camwood, barwood, or African sandalwood, is a leguminous tree or shrub valued for its red dye, which is extracted from its heartwood.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that Baphia nitida is sometimes referred to as "hard-wooded."

Considerations for Children

  • The text mentions that Baphia nitida is sometimes referred to as "hard-wooded."

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Baphia nitida Lodd.
  • Common Names: Camwood, Barwood, African Sandalwood, Bois Rouge, Forest Camwood, Natal Camwood
  • Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum/Division: Magnoliophyta
  • Class: Eudicots
  • Order: Fabales
  • Synonyms:
    • Baphia angolensis Lest.-Garl.
    • Baphia barombiensis Taub.
    • Baphia haematoxylon (Schum. & Thonn.) Hook.
    • Carpolobia versicolor G. Don.
    • Baphia nitida var. pubescens A.Chev.
    • Podalyria haematoxylon Schum. & Thonn.
    • Delaria pyrifolia Desv.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Baphia nitida occurs wild across tropical West Africa, from Senegal to Gabon.
  • It is often cultivated near villages, especially in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
  • It grows in most West African rainforests.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Baphia nitida is a shrubby tree that can grow to approximately 3 meters on the Accra Plains, Ghana, and up to 10 meters in forests.
  • It has smooth branchlets.
  • It has fragrant white flowers, sometimes with a yellow marking.
  • Other species of Baphia can be shrubs, lianas, or trees.

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

  • The heartwood of Baphia nitida yields a red dye.
  • Leaves are used in folk medicine in Nigeria to treat inflamed and infected umbilical cords.
  • The plant is being investigated for potential applications in the treatment of diarrhoea.

Quirky Facts

  • The name "Baphia" comes from the Greek word for "dye," referring to the red dye extracted from the heartwood.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Baphia nitida has been studied for its antimicrobial effect on cariogenic streptococci isolated from dental samples.

Further Information

  • Soladoye, M.O. (1985). A revision of Baphia (Leguminosae - Papilionoideae).
  • Additional information can be found at BiodiversityLibrary.org.
  • Learn more about the Baphia - with amazing Baphia photos and facts on ARKive.