Kokrudua (Ghana, Ivory Coast), Assamela (Ivory Coast)

Afrormosia is found in the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Zaire, and to a small extent in Nigeria.

A large tree (except in Nigeria) that reaches a height of 45m and a diameter of 1.2m or slightly more.

Sapwood is small, about 12mm wide, slightly lighter in colour than the brownish heartwood. When first cut, the heartwood is yellowish brown, darkening on exposure to a pleasing brownish yellow, somewhat resembling that of teak, but with a finer texture, and lacking the oily nature of teak. The grain is straight to interlocked, and the wood weighs about 710 kg/m3 when dried.

Dries rather slowly, with little degradation.

Afrormosia is superior to teak in most of its mechanical properties and is very similar to home grown beech, except in resistance to compression where it is about 20% stronger.

Very durable.

The wood works well with only a slight tendency to pick up, but a cutting angle of 20 degrees usually produces a good finish. It can be glued and polished satisfactorily, but tends to split when nailed.

Afrormosia can be used as an alternative to teak for many purposes, where a strong, stable ,and durable wood is required. It is used for furniture, high glass joinery, flooring, boat building, and shop fitting. It should not be used in contact with ferrous metals in wet conditions since these may corrode, and the presence of tannins in the wood can cause staining.