Tropical Forestry - Dendrology: Field Characteristics and Ecology of Dominant and Commercial Species in the Congo Basin

This set of flashcards provides essential vocabulary related to dominant and commercial tree species discussed in the Tropical Forestry course, specifically focusing on their characteristics, uses, and ecological roles.

Musanga cecropioides

A pioneer species characterized by stilt roots, large parasol-like leaves, and known for its fast growth.

Macaranga spinosa

A pioneer shrub or tree with a spiny trunk, fast growth rate, and used in traditional medicine.

Pericopsis elata

A valuable timber species, known for its large size and valuable wood, with seeds dispersed by wind.

Albizia gummifera

A long-lived pioneer tree featuring a flattened crown, used less for timber but more for its wood in joinery.

Ricinodendron heudelotii

A large tree known for its edible seeds and wood used in traditional music instruments.

Petersianthus macrocarpus

A medium-sized tree known for its thick cracked bark and fruit housing edible caterpillars.

Anonidium mannii

A small tree with distinctive large fruits that are a food source for local wildlife.

Cynometra alexandri

An evergreen tree known as 'Uganda iron wood', used for heavy construction.

Gilbertiodendron dewevrei

A large tree characterized by its thick pods, highly sought after for timber.

Triplochiton scleroxylon

Known as ayous, this tree features light wood used widely in carpentry.

Milicia excelsa

Also known as iroko, this tree is highly prized for its durable wood and considered sacred by locals. Latex

Pterocarpus soyauxii

A rare tree that produces beautiful red wood, used for various outdoor applications and musical instruments.

Julbernardia seretii Troupin

A shade-tolerant tree with massive buttresses that can dominate mature rainforest and is known for its decorative “zebrawood.”

Scorodophloeus zenkeri Harms

A garlic-scented shade-tolerant tree that forms dense stands on moist soils in mature rainforest.

Aucoumea klaineana pierre

A long-lived pioneer and the most important timber tree of Gabon, widely used for plywood and light carpentry. (Okoumé)

Entandrophragma cylindricum

Huge slow-growing canopy trees that occur at low density but supply some of Africa’s most valuable hardwoods. (sapelli)

Entandrophragma utile

Huge slow-growing canopy trees that occur at low density but supply some of Africa’s most valuable hardwoods. (sipo)