Millettia stuhlmannii
| Panga panga | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Millettia |
| Species: | M. stuhlmannii |
| Binomial name | |
| Millettia stuhlmannii Taub. | |
Millettia stuhlmannii, commonly known as panga panga, is a well-known species of timber tree[1] that is native to the southeastern Afrotropics. The alternative name partridge wood refers to the light and dark patterns of its heartwood, which is said to form ‘partridge-breast’ figures.[2] The wood of the tropical species M. laurentii has similar qualities and uses, but is slightly darker, and lacks the copious yellowish white resin of the heartwood vessels.[2] Its foliage is similar to that of Pterocarpus rotundifolius, and it may be confused with the latter when observed from a distance.
Range and status
It is found in southern Tanzania, eastern Zimbabwe, Mozambique[2] and very locally in the Venda region of South Africa.[3] Though locally common or even dominant, over-utilization may deplete many populations. Besides harvesting for timber, their numbers are also depleted by unsustainable harvesting of bark and roots, which are employed for medicinal and magical purposes.[1]
Description
The large compound leaves are greenish above and bluish green below, with one terminal and 7 to 9 pairs of opposite leaflets.[1] It is deciduous, with the foliage emerging before flowering time. The large, lilac flowers[1] appear from November to January as seasonal rains commence,[2] and are produced on long, pendulous racemes. The woody seed pods are flat and velvety, and release their seeds when they split open due to increasing torsion.[1] The root nodules have a symbiotic relationship with rhizobial bacteria.[2]
Isolated chemicals
The flavonoid robinetin has been isolated in the heartwood and the α-amino acid (S)-canavanine has been isolated from the seeds.[4]
Timber value and trade
The highly priced and valued wood has a range of applications, including flooring, furniture, musical instruments and boat building. The heartwood is very durable, as it is not affected by fungi, dry-wood borers or termites, but the sapwood is vulnerable to powderpost beetles.[2] It is locally sawn, and exported legally from Tanzania and Mozambique, especially Zambezia Province.[2] It accounts for some 45% of timber legally exported from Tanzania, and much of it is bought by Chinese buyers, who in turn re-export a portion to the West.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Mutshinyalo, Thompson (June 2011). "Millettia stuhlmannii Taub.". plantzafrica.com. SANBI. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lemmens, R. H. M. J. (2008). "Millettia stuhlmannii Taub.". Prota 7(1): Timbers/Bois d’œuvre 1. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
- ↑ At Ha-Makhuvha (22°46'S 30°23'E) where 159 specimens were left in 2007. See: T. Mutshinyalo, 2011.
- ↑ ILDIS, International Legume Database and Information Service and CHCD, Chapman & Hall Chemical Database, compiler, I.W. Southon; editors, F.A. Bisby, J. Buckingham, J.B. Harborne; botanical data, J.L. Zarucchi ... [et al.]; chemical data, Chapman & Hall Chemical Database; phytochemical database, R.J. White ... [et al.] (1994). Phytochemical dictionary of the Leguminosae (1st ed.). London: Chapman & Hall. ISBN 0412397706.