The Bark is grey and flakes off in large, uneven-edged scales which leave distinctive, light patches. The slash is pale red and of a crumbling composition.
The Wood, when freshly cut is a light brown with distinct orange tint, which always remains, even when the timber has darkened to the deep red brown after seasoning. The sapwood is white or yellowish, generally the latter, the orange of the pores enhancing this. In transverse section the rings are indistinctly marked, but the soft tissue, in unusual quantities, is clearly seen, as are the pores, which are large, rather far apart, some single, or in small nests, or in lines. The rays, not visible to the naked eye, are continuous and regularly spaced, readily visible in radial section. The grain is inclined to pick up in bands, it being by no means an easy wood to work with, but the resulting finish is well worth the trouble required. It is hard, durable and strong, and weighs from 55-60 lbs. a cubic foot.
The Leaves are pinnate, about a foot long with 6-8 pairs of opposite, shiny, dark-green leaflets, 3½ inches long and 2½ inches broad. They are a most brilliant green when new.
The Flowers are in stiff, flat panicles and appear in March. Each flower has four dark-green cupped sepals, one long petal, cream-coloured with red lines, seven fertile stamens, two infertile stamens and a long, dark-green style.
The Fruits, which ripen about December or January, are large, hard, black pods, 5-6 inches long, 2½ inches broad and an inch thick, with a point at the tip. They split in half to disclose about eight large, black beans, set in a red aril in large, white cells. The pods are numerous and conspicuous on the trees.
Uses.—Planks and mortars are made locally from the wood. Furniture in small quantities has been made, and except for the weight of the wood, it is admirably suitable, in colour and texture for this purpose. The seeds are sold as a charm (fasa daga) and used in the game of “dara.” The idea is held, in some parts of the country, that if the seeds be picked from the pod while it is still on the tree and made into “tuwo” the eating of them will make one safe from an attempted blow with a stick, which will remain poised, or break with the blow.
The leaves are eaten as fodder by cattle.
ALBIZZIA BROWNEI Oliv.—Madobiar rafi. LEGUMINOSAE.