Khaya anthotheca aka Nyasaland Mahogany

Khaya anthotheca belongs to the mahogany family, Meliaceae. Its common names include white mahogany and East African mahogany. This large tree grows across tropical Africa. Its range reaches from Sierra Leone to Uganda, south to Angola and Mozambique. It grows in lowland rain forests and beside rivers. It also grows on slopes near floodplain edges.

The tree grows fast and forms a dense crown. References give a height of 164 feet [50 metres]. Some trees exceed 197 feet [60 metres]. One source gives a spread of 98 feet [30 metres]. Sources describe it as deciduous or partly deciduous. The trunk is straight, with large buttresses at its base. It can lack branches for 66 feet [20 metres]. The bark is grey-brown. Small, white, scented flowers form abundant panicles. Insects pollinate the flowers. The fruit forms capsules that split open when ripe.

This tropical tree needs full sun and cannot tolerate frost. It grows best where daytime temperatures reach 18–28°C. Give it deep, fertile soil with good drainage. Light to medium soils suit it best. Trees may become unstable in shallow clay. It prefers moist soil but can withstand drought. Slightly acid to neutral soil suits it well. It tolerates strong winds, but not exposure to sea winds. Fresh seed gives better germination than stored seed. Light shade helps seeds germinate in nursery beds.

Its broad crown gives dense shade in large open spaces. People plant it along avenues and in some farm systems. Plantations also grow it for its valuable timber. The wood serves for furniture, floors, wall panels and boats. People also use it for fuel and charcoal. The bark yields a red-brown dye. Heavy logging threatens wild trees in parts of Africa. Some sites have poor regrowth where few parent trees remain. The supplied conservation account records a Vulnerable listing from 2010.

No edible uses are known in the supplied evidence. Traditional medicine uses the bark for fever and other ailments. People also apply bark preparations to wounds and sores. Seed oil has a traditional use against hair lice. These uses do not establish safety for home treatment. Reports link the leaves with arrow poison. Wood dust may irritate the skin.