Afzelia quanzensis

Afzelia quanzensis is a species of tree native to sub-Saharan Africa. It ranges from Somalia and Democratic Republic of the Congo to South Africa. It is a protected tree in South Africa. It belongs to the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the bean family Fabaceae.

Description

This deciduous tree can grow up to height, and has smooth, grey bark, which can flake in irregular patches. It has glossy dark green leaves and flowers between October and November. The flowers have a solitary large red petal. After flowering, it produces a seed capsule, a thick woody pod, up to long, which contains 6 or 7 black seeds with a hard, bright red aril covering one end.

Uses

The seeds are sometimes made into native necklaces and the timber is an ornamental hardwood, used in furniture, parquet flooring and railway sleepers.
This plant may be used in traditional medicine.