African Coralwood

African Coralwood (Pterocarpus soyauxii) is a fast-growing tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, and one of the tall canopy trees of humid tropical Africa, reaching a height of around 30 metres. It is native to Central and West Africa, occurring in Cabinda, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, and Zaire. In cultivation it prefers full sun and moist soil, coping with light sandy, medium, and heavy clay ground, and is suited to warm, frost-free hardiness zones 10 to 12. It is not drought resistant, so steady moisture and well-drained conditions support the best growth. Beyond its stature, the tree is grown for a range of practical uses. Its timber is valued as lumber, and the plant is associated with cosmetic and dye applications, with the leaves and shoots recorded as an edible colouring source. As a legume it fixes nitrogen, improving the soil around it, and it has also been used for pest control and as fire-starting material. A single tree can therefore supply several products at once. Growers usually propagate African Coralwood with its edible leaves and shoots in mind, keeping the ground consistently moist and well drained. As with any plant harvested for food or dye, correct identification is important before use.