Afzelia africana aka African Mahogany
Taxonomy ID: 20044
Afzelia africana is a deciduous tree in the bean family, Fabaceae. Its common names include African mahogany and lucky bean tree. Its native range spans western tropical Africa east to Uganda. It grows in dry and moist forests, savannahs, and wooded valleys. It also grows along forest edges near the southern Sahel. These habitats have a warm climate with a dry season.
The tree forms a broad crown with space between branches. Sources report heights of 33–82 feet [10–25 metres]. PFAF lists a smaller size of 26 feet [8 metres]. That entry gives a spread of 33 feet [10 metres]. The evidence does not establish a usual garden height range. The trunk can reach about 1.3 feet [0.4 metres] across. Wounds in the bark release a dark yellow, scented resin. The tree sheds its leaves rather than keeping them year-round.
The fruit is a flat, black pod with a woody shell. Pods stay on the tree and split when ripe. Each pod measures about 5–7 inches [12–17 centimetres] long. A sweet, fleshy aril surrounds each seed and is edible. The seeds themselves are poisonous and must not be confused with it. People sometimes cook tender young leaves as a vegetable. Researchers have studied the seeds for flour and oil production. That research does not remove the reported risk from poisonous seeds.
This tropical tree needs warmth and cannot withstand frost. PFAF lists it for USDA zones 10–12. It grows best in sun, though young plants accept light shade. It prefers fertile, moist soil and can tolerate brief flooding. Deep sandy soil suits it, but it also accepts loam and clay. Its preferred soil pH is 5.5–6.5. PFAF reports that it does not tolerate wind. Seeds with part of their coat removed germinate well in warm conditions.
People value the wood as a substitute for mahogany. They also gather food, medicines, and other materials from wild trees. Nitrogen-rich leaves help enrich soil, and the tree can fix nitrogen. People use burnt pods to make soap and dried pods as instruments. Sawdust can cause irritation and sneezing; people use bark as fish poison. Useful Tropical Plants reports a 1998 Vulnerable assessment linked to timber exploitation.
Common names
African Mahogany, AfzeliaMore information about African Mahogany
How difficult is it to grow African Mahogany?
Afzelia africana is a large tropical tree suited to outdoor cultivation in frost-free climates (USDA zones 10–12). It requires full sun and well-drained fertile soil, and is not appropriate as a houseplant or for temperate indoor cultivation. Young trees tolerate light shade during establishment. Given its specialized tropical requirements, it is considered challenging to grow outside its native range.
How big does African Mahogany get?
Afzelia africana typically grows 10–25 metres tall with some specimens reaching 30 metres. Trunk diameter can reach 100–170 cm at maturity. It has a medium growth rate and develops a broad, spreading, open crown. Seeds germinate rapidly — 100% germination can be achieved within 14 days at 25°C when seeds are scarified.
How often should you water African Mahogany?
Afzelia africana prefers moist to wet soil conditions, thriving with 1,200–1,800 mm of annual rainfall, though it tolerates a range of 1,000–2,500 mm. The tree can tolerate occasional soil inundation and is moderately drought-tolerant once established in its native savanna habitats.
What soil does African Mahogany need?
The tree grows best in fertile, deep sandy soils at a pH of 5.5–6.5, though it tolerates a range of pH 5–7. It adapts to sandy, loamy, and clay soils, as well as lateritic soils common in its native range. Good drainage is preferred except during short periods of inundation.
What temperature does African Mahogany prefer?
Afzelia africana grows best at 20–32°C and tolerates a range of 10–40°C. It is frost-tender and suited to USDA hardiness zones 10–12. It is not tolerant of freezing temperatures.
What do African Mahogany flowers look like?
The flowers of Afzelia africana are white or greenish-white with red or pink stripes and are arranged in panicles. The tree is deciduous and flowering is associated with seasonal leaf flush in its tropical habitat.
How does seasonal care work for African Mahogany?
As a deciduous tropical tree, Afzelia africana sheds its leaves seasonally. New leaves emerge with a characteristic reddish or coppery flush. In cultivation within its native range, minimal seasonal intervention is needed; in marginal climates, protection from any cold or frost during cooler months is essential.
How do you grow African Mahogany outdoors?
Afzelia africana is exclusively an outdoor tree, native to tropical West and Central Africa. It grows in lowland moist and dry forests, savannahs, and forest-fringe habitats up to 900 m elevation. It requires full sun (young trees tolerate light shade), fertile soil, and a frost-free climate in USDA zones 10–12. Annual rainfall of 1,200–1,800 mm is optimal.
How do you propagate African Mahogany?
Afzelia africana is propagated by seed. Scarification of seeds (nicking or soaking) significantly accelerates germination, which begins in approximately 8 days at 25°C and reaches 100% by day 14. Smaller seeds germinate faster, while larger seeds tend to produce seedlings with higher subsequent growth rates.
Can you eat African Mahogany?
The fleshy orange aril (pulp) surrounding the seeds inside the pod is sweet and can be eaten raw. Young leaves are occasionally cooked and eaten as a vegetable in West Africa. The seeds themselves are poisonous and should not be consumed. Seeds contain approximately 27–31% oil and are being researched for industrial food applications (seed flour and oil) but are not safe for direct consumption.
What are the medicinal uses of African Mahogany?
In traditional West African medicine, Afzelia africana is used to treat a wide range of conditions. Bark decoctions are used for malaria, rheumatism, paralysis, and internal bleeding. The plant is considered analgesic, antihaemorrhagic, febrifuge, and laxative. Other recorded applications include treatment of leprosy, lumbago, hernias, gonorrhea, constipation, edema, and stomach complaints. The plant is also used as an aphrodisiac, emetic, and emmenagogue in various traditions.
What are other uses of African Mahogany?
Afzelia africana is one of West Africa's most prized timber species. The heartwood is highly resistant to decay and termites, making it suitable for shipbuilding, construction, joinery, paneling, cabinetwork, cooperage, and as a mahogany substitute. It was used historically in medieval shipbuilding and in the construction of djembe drums. Burnt seed pods are rich in potash and used for soap manufacturing. Seeds contain ~31% oil used in industrial applications; bark provides tannins. Dried seedpods serve as musical rattles and seeds are used as decorative beads. The tree is also used in agroforestry, as its nitrogen-rich leaf litter improves soil fertility.
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