Dalbergia monticola

Dalbergia monticola is a deciduous tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It grows only in Madagascar, with records from northern and central areas. Its range includes the island's eastern escarpment. Local names include hazovola, tsiandalana, and voamboana. Botanists distinguished it from Dalbergia baroni in 1996. Older accounts may confuse the two species, so they need care.

Most trees reach 26–49 feet [8–15 metres] in height. Some reach 66–98 feet [20–30 metres]. One reference also gives a height of 39 feet [12 metres]. The trunk is often short and can span 3.3 feet [1 metre] across. Some trees have no branches for 66 feet [20 metres]. The tree sheds its leaves, though it grows in evergreen forest. Growth is slow, and trees can live for more than 200 years. Insects pollinate its flowers.

Wild trees grow at elevations of 1,150–5,250 feet [350–1,600 metres]. They often occupy ferrallitic soils. The species occurs in moist tropical areas. Reported mean annual temperatures range from 18 to 23°C. Annual rainfall ranges from 750 to 2,500 millimetres. Kew also places it within the seasonally dry tropical biome. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 10–12. Root bacteria form nodules and help the tree fix nitrogen. Most seedlings grow within 33–66 feet [10–20 metres] of their parent.

The wood is the tree's main recorded use. People harvest it for local use and export. The heartwood ranges from yellowish brown to reddish or dark brown. Dark streaks may run through it. It differs clearly from the outer sapwood. The grain is mostly straight, with a fine, even texture. Fresh wood has a slightly sweet scent. Uses include furniture, cabinets, carvings, veneer, plywood, and musical instruments. The wood dries slowly but holds its shape well once dry. It takes a good polish and resists termites.

Heavy logging has made mature trees scarce, despite the species' broad range. Useful Tropical Plants reports a Vulnerable listing from the 2011 IUCN assessment. No edible or medicinal uses are recorded in these sources. They also report no known hazards. That lack of reports does not establish safety for people or pets. Experimental air layering has succeeded as a means of propagation.