A large tree which inhabits “fadammas,” “tabkis” or annually inundated areas. It has several erect, straight stems ascending to a height of 60 feet in large specimens and the foliage reaches almost to ground level. From the branches, especially noticeable when one of these is horizontally inclined, are a number of slender erect shoots, like those of pollarded willow. The crown is the same width throughout with a narrowed or pointed top. The tree coppices very well and would provide a rotation crop if properly worked. It will not stand drought and a succession of dry years will kill the tree, subsequent wet years only serving to rot the dead trees. This is of frequent occurrence in the farthest north.
The Bark is light brown or grey and smooth, a few scales showing on the lower part of the stem in season. The slash is light brown, rapidly darkening.
The Wood is a very light brown. In transverse section the rings show broad bands of a darker colour, a purple tinge which is clearly seen in vertical, especially radial sections. The pores are minute, quite invisible to the naked eye, and with difficulty seen with the lens, in rows between the extremely fine rays which are waved and very close together. The grain is very close and fine; seasons well and is slightly liable to borer beetle attacks, works well with all tools, the plane producing a nice clean finish of a velvety nature. It is one of the best all-round timbers for many purposes and its small sizes are a great misfortune. The weight is 40 lbs. a cubic foot.
The Leaves vary somewhat in shape from a narrow oval to a broad, rather square oval, both shapes with a pointed tip. They are 3-4 inches long and 2-2½ inches broad with ½-¾ inch stalk. They are in opposite pairs as is so typically seen at the base of the flower or seed head. They are paler beneath than below, very soft and thin in consistency and the venation appears almost white by contrast.
The Flowers are in yellowish balls an inch in diameter, sweet-scented and appearing at the beginning of the rains, though a few blooms may be found at odd seasons. Each flower is about ½ inch long with 5 long sepals narrow at the base, broad at the tip (obconical); a tubular corolla with 5 lobes between each of which protrudes the anther of a stamen, grey in colour; and a long pistil terminating in a reddish stigma, shaped like a bee-hive. The flowers are at first white and then turn yellow.
The Fruits are in spherical heads ¾ inch in diameter and dark brown in colour. Each fruit is what is called di-coccous, i.e., the fruit is formed of two separating carpels, containing seeds. The fruiting heads are most conspicuous and enable the tree to be identified from some distance.
Uses.—The timber has been used lately by the Industrial Schools with great success, and in Sokoto it has been found one of the best for all purposes where large sizes are not necessary. The native makes bowls and spoons from it and it is a good source of poles for building houses. It is supposed to rot rapidly if exposed to wet.
MONOTES KERSTINGII Gilg.—Wasani, Gasa kura, Farin Rura. DIPTEROCARPACEAE.