Dalbergia louvelii

Dalbergia louvelii belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. This tree sheds its leaves. It is native to the east of Madagascar. Its common names include violet rosewood, andramena, and volombodipona. It grows in wet tropical forests near the coast. These include lowland evergreen forests, which stay green year-round, and coastal forests. They reach heights of about 2,300 feet [700 metres] above sea level. Wild trees grow in sand and iron-rich soils called ferrallitic soils.

Sources give different sizes for the tree. The listed garden size is 49 feet [15 metres] tall and wide. Other accounts give a height of 66 feet [20 metres]. PFAF says it grows at a moderate rate. Insects pollinate its flowers. The accounts give no flower colour or bloom season. They give no details of the bark or fruit. Bacteria form lumps called nodules on the roots. They fix nitrogen from the air. The tree uses some of it. Nearby plants may gain from it too.

PFAF lists full sun and moist soil that drains well. The tree accepts sand, loam, and clay soils. Soil that is slightly acid to neutral suits it. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12. Stored, dry seeds may gain from scarification before sowing. This means breaking or wearing down the seed coat. A soak in warm water can help seeds take up water. Seeds that stay hard may need a careful nick in the coat. Take care not to harm the embryo inside.

Wood is the tree's main recorded use. Fresh heartwood is red-purple. It turns darker, toward purple-black, as it dries. The wood is dense, hard, and fine-grained. It takes a smooth polish. Makers use it for cabinets, furniture, inlay work, and parquet floors. They also make musical instruments, carvings, turned objects, and tombs. The wood also goes into traditional Chinese Hongmu furniture. Logging that targets chosen trees and forest loss have cut its numbers. Large trees have become scarce. Useful Tropical Plants cites the 2011 IUCN Red List. That assessment classes the tree as Endangered.

Neither source records a use as food. Both report no known hazards. This does not mean the tree is safe. Traditional healers use its heartwood for malaria and bilharzia. Tests found that some heartwood flavonoids act against malaria parasites. These findings do not prove the treatment works or is safe. The evidence names no pests or diseases that affect this tree.