Camwood | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Genus: | Baphia |
Species: | B. nitida |
Binomial name | |
Baphia nitida Lodd. |
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The distribution of Baphia nitida. | |
Synonyms | |
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Baphia nitida (camwood, also barwood), also known as African sandalwood, is a shrubby, leguminous., hard-wooded tree from central west Africa. This wood is of a very fine colour, and is used in woodturning for making knife handles and similar articles.
The tree's bark and heartwood are commonly used to make a brilliant but non-permanent red dye, which is soluble in alkali.
Camwood is known as "osun" in Yoruba.
Pterocarpin is a pterocarpan found in B. nitida.