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Ovengkol (Dalbergia melanaoxylon Guill&perr.)
Overview
Dalbergia melanoxylon (African blackwood, grenadilla, or mpingo) in French Granadille d'Afrique is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to seasonally dry regions of Africa from Senegal east to Eritrea, to southern regions of Tanzania to Mozambique and south to the north-eastern parts of South Africa. The tree is an important timber species in its native areas; it is used in the manufacture of musical instruments, sculptures vinyago in Swahili language and fine furnitures. Populations and genomic resources for genetic biodiversity maintenance in parts of its native range are threatened by overharvesting due to poor or absent conservation planning and by the species' low germination rates.
African blackwood is a small tree, reaching 4–15 m tall, with grey bark and spiny shoots. The leaves are deciduous in the dry season, alternate, 6–22 cm long, pinnately compound, with 6–9 alternately arranged leaflets. The flowers are white and produced in dense clusters. The fruit is a pod 3–7 cm long, containing one to two seeds. It is often cited as one of the most expensive woods in the world.
| Species | Ovengkol (* Dalbergia melanaoxylon Guill&perr.) |
| Origin | Africa |
| Grade | AIC |
| Thickness | 18mm to 300mm |
| Width | 40mm to 300mm |
| Length | 4m to 8m |
| Drying | KD, AD |
| Prominent Uses |  |
Description & Distribution
Dalbergia melanaoxylon Guill. & Perr. is a medium to large tree belonging to the Fabaceae family, characterized by bipinnate leaves, small fragrant flowers, and elongated seed pods. It typically reaches heights of 10–20 meters and has smooth, grayish-brown bark. This species is native to West Africa, especially Nigeria and Cameroon, where it grows in tropical forest environments. It prefers humid, well-drained soils in lowland and montane regions, playing a vital role in forest ecosystems.
Physical Characteristics
Crushing Strength: 69 MPa (+/- 9)
Specific Gravity (at 12% MC): 0.82 g/cm3 (+/0.05)
Stability : Moderately stable
Static Bending Strength: 127 MPa (+/- 16)
Durability and resistance
Dry Wood Borers: Class D - Durable - sapwood demarcated
Fungi: Class 2 - Durable
Termites: Class D - Durable
Treatability: Class 3 - Poorly permeable
Typical Applications
● Cabinetwork (high class furniture)
● Sliced veneer
● Interior panelling
● Musical instuments
● Exterior joinery
● Stairs (inside)
● Current furniture or furniture components
● Interior joinery
● Turned goods
● Flooring
● Exterior panelling
● Resistant to one or several acids
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