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African Mahogany

African Mahogany
Photo: Tim West
Invasive Plant
African Mahogany
Khaya senegalensis
 

Hailing from central and west Africa, this tree has a smooth grey trunk. It is distinguished from the true mahogany (Swietenia) by the different shape of its leaves and its smaller globular fruit, which have a similar woody capsule but only 8 cm long and of a different shape. Its flowers, in clusters, are creamy yellow. It has been widely used in the tropics as a street tree and in Forestry. However, it is blown over by strong winds as it produces an enormous, heavy canopy making it quite dangerous in urban environments.

 

HOW IT SPREADS

  • Evidence suggests that it has spread into bushland via seeds, which germinate readily in the Wet/Dry Tropics.
 
 
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Alternative Plants

Allosyncarpia
Photo: Tim West
Alternative Plant Allosyncarpia
Allosyncarpia ternata
Trees and Shrubs
 

A large, evergreen tree growing to some 30 m or so that is endemic to the Kakadu and Arnhem Land Plateau regions of the NT. It dominates the tree canopy in a wide variety of habitats, including rainforest on valley floors, open forest on cliffs, screes and sandy areas, and open woodland on ridges and hilltops. Its spreading habit and glossy foliage make it a most attractive specimen tree. It is widely used in street plantings in Darwin and environs. It has creamy-white flowers in clusters and is an ideal alternative to the African Mahogany.

Beauty Leaf
Photo: Tim West
Alternative Plant Beauty Leaf
Calophyllum inophyllum
Trees and Shrubs
 

A large, evergreen tree widely grown in tropical regions for its decorative leaves, fragrant flowers and spreading crown. Originally from east Africa and tropical Asia, it is a popular garden specimen for its low branching and slow growth. It will not take over but will provide useful shade as it matures to its eventual height of some 8 to 15 m. Its small, white flowers are dominated by brilliant yellow stamens and are produced twice a year. Its fruits are between 2 and 4 cm in diameter and ripen to an attractive deep orange/ reddish brown. They yield an oil useful for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

Tamarind
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Alternative Plant Tamarind
Tamarindus indica
Trees and Shrubs
 

A slow-growing, long-lived tree that may reach 24 to 30 m when mature. The Tamarind has dark grey, rough bark and branches that tend to droop at the ends. Evergreen under normal conditions, it may lose some leaves briefly during extended hot, dry periods. Its yellow flowers, sometimes streaked with orange or red, are fairly inconspicuous. They are followed by bean-like, irregularly curved and bulging pods borne abundantly along new branches. They may be from 5 to 15 cm long. This tree is the source of tamarind pulp and paste, used for culinary purposes (curries, chutneys, etc).

 
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