The Bark distinguishes the tree from all others. It is almost black, and the scales are small, regular, even-sized and rectangular. That of very young trees is green or grey and quite smooth. The slash is salmon pink with darker flecks.
The Wood of the northern examples rarely contains any black wood. The heartwood is a mixture of shades of pink, grey and green, the predominant colour being light red. In transverse section the rings are faint waved dark lines, close together; the pores are small, open, evenly scattered, mostly single, with some small chains in the line of the extremely fine and close rays. The rays show as small red bands in radial section. The grain is close, not very straight and the wood seasons well and is hard and durable. Damage from fires to young trees often extends many feet up the stem. It works fairly well with tools but will not take nails well. The planed surface is smooth and will take a polish. The weight is 48 lbs. a cubic foot.
The Leaves are a very dark and rather dull green, the under surface with a slight sheen. The venation is very delicate and not raised on either surface, though the mid-rib is most prominent underneath. They are some 6 inches long and 2½ inches wide, with a short stalk. The young foliage is bright red, which turns brownish before the final green. The shade is dense and nothing grows under it.
The Flowers are borne in small clusters in the axils of the leaves in February. They are green and not conspicuous. Each consists of a 5-lobed calyx on a longish stalk, 5 petals set in spiral formation, one over the other and inside the closed corolla are 10 stamens attached to the petals.
The Fruit is about an inch in diameter, green at first, with the crinkly calyx much enlarged and toughened, ripening to yellow with a crisp rind, a soft, sweet, edible flesh and from 4-6 seeds. The seeds are very hard with shiny, rich red-brown coat and grey interior into which the red colour of the coat runs in streaks as seen in section. The seeds are grouped radially round the centre with thin, jelly-like partitions between each. The fruit falls entire from March onwards.
Uses.—The tree is cut into planks for various uses and the timber is very durable though a little too heavy. Canoes have been made of it. The fruits are eaten fresh by the natives.
EKEBERGIA SENEGALENSIS A. Juss.—Madachin dutsi. MELIACEAE.
This not very common species is found in Bauchi, Zaria, S. Katsina, etc., and has not been observed above 11½° N. It inhabits the outskirts of “kurmis” or the open forests where the soil is good. Considerable quantities occur just below the 4,000 feet level on the Bauchi plateau. The similarity of leaves, flowers and fruits and its rocky habitat are responsible for its local name. It reaches 30 feet in height with a girth of 2-3 feet, rarely has any bole length over 10 feet, but as a rule a number of acutely ascending limbs forming a dense oval crown. It stands shade well and there its growth is taller and more slender and open and inclined to spread. The terminal foliage is noticeable.