Dalbergia melanoxylon aka African Blackwood

Dalbergia melanoxylon belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. This deciduous tree sheds its leaves. Its names include African blackwood, Mozambique ebony, and mpingo. It grows in tropical and southern Africa. Its range runs from Senegal to Ethiopia and southwards. It lives in dry woodland, savannah, and on rocky ground. It grows in tropical lowlands and at moderate heights above sea level.

The tree grows slowly, with many branches and spiny shoots. Garden sources give its height and spread as 20 feet [6 metres]. Other accounts give usual heights of 15–25 feet [4.5–7.5 metres]. Some trees reach 49 feet [15 metres]. The trunk has grey bark. Its leaves are alternate: they grow in turn along shoots. Each pinnate leaf has several small leaflets. White flowers form tight groups, and bees pollinate them. The tree is not self-fertile. Each seed pod holds one or two seeds.

Grow it in full sun, in soil that drains well. It cannot grow in shade or renew itself under dense cover. It accepts sand, loam, and clay, even with few nutrients. The soil can be mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline. Sources list both dry and moist soils as suitable. They also stress its need for water and light. Wild trees often grow near water. This holds true despite a climate with dry seasons. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 10–12.

Dark heartwood stands out against the pale sapwood around it. The wood is very hard and heavy. People value it for its long life. They use it for carvings, furniture, and musical instruments. Growers plant the tree for shelter and to restore woodland. Its wide roots help hold soil and stop erosion. It can form windbreaks and living fences, and supply mulch. The tree fixes nitrogen and may improve poor soil. Heavy cutting has left fewer large trees. Useful Tropical Plants reports a 2011 assessment of Near Threatened.

The supplied sources record no edible uses. They report no known hazards, but this does not prove safety. Traditional medicine uses the roots, bark, leaves, and wood smoke. These records show uses, not proof that treatments work or are safe. The evidence names no specific pest or disease problems. Take care with weed risk outside its home range. It spread after people brought it to India and Australia. It became an aggressive weed in Western Australia. Authorities there eradicated it.