English: Camwood; Barwood; African sandalwood.
Yoruba: Osun.
Region: Western Tropical Africa, Senegal to Gabon.
Content: pterocarpin, a pterocarpan; saponins, flavonoid glycosides; true tannins.
Habitat: understorey tree; wetter parts of the coastal regions, in rainforest, in secondary forest and on abandoned farmland; sea-level up to 600 metres; prefers full sun, tolerating light shade; prefers fertile, medium-textured soil.
Culture: cultivated near villages; considered sacred, protecting against evil spirits, attracting benevolent spirits.
Use: wood for knives, handles, small articles, building materials; bark and heartwood for a brilliant, non-permanent red dye, soluble in alkali; for soaps; folk medicine; cosmetic,
Use: red dye; ornamental shade tree; fence and hedge; seeds are edible.
BotanySmall, understorey, evergreen, hard-wooded shrub or small tree; 2.5 - 10 metres tall.
Stem: wood has a fine colour; many-stemmed erect.