Khaya anthotheca C.Dc.

Large tree up to 60 m. tall, sometimes with very prominent surface roots; bole of large trees markedly buttressed to a height of 6 m., straight or with a slight ‘wave’, reaching a considerable height before branching (inside tall forest) or branched low down (in riparian forest), up to 4 m. in diameter above the buttresses; bark smooth but exfoliating in small circular scales ± 3 cm. in diameter and leaving a characteristically pock-marked, mottled grey and brown surface.. Leaves up to 30(–40) cm. long, glabrous; leaflets 6–10(–14), coriaceous, mostly ovate-elliptic, or elliptic, up to 17 × 7 cm., gradually tapering to the cuspidate apex, base cuneate or obtuse, slightly asymmetric; petiolules 0.5–1.5 cm. long.. Inflorescence an axillary panicle up to 25(–40) cm. long.. Flowers sweet-scented, white, with a reddish disk surrounding the base of the ovary.. Calyx 0.1–0.15 cm. long, lobed almost to the base; lobes suborbicular, ciliate.. Petals elliptic, somewhat hooded, up to 0.6 × 0.3 cm.. Staminal lobe ± 0.5 cm. long.. Ovary 0.2 cm. in diameter; style less than 0.1 cm. long.. Capsule 4–6 cm. in diameter, dehiscing by 4–5 valves.. Seeds 1–2 × 1.5–3 cm., 6–12 per locule.. Fig. 14, p. 48.

A canopy tree of lowland rain-forest and riverine fringe forest, from sea level to about 1,500 metres. Prefers terraces and stable, gently sloping riverbeds in riparian forests; grows well on adjacent colluvial slopes at margins of floodplains.

Can be grown by seedlings.