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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Luster Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Turning Scientific Name Baphia nitida Trade Name A-kam Family Name Leguminosae Common Names A-kam, A-kam-kent, Abodi, Aboloobaatso, Aboshi, Adwena, Armua, Awemi, Bala, Bewo, Borri borri, Bundue, Camwood, Didiabo, Dwenkohoro, Ekuro, Eseme, Exin, Irosun, Mbundoi, Odwen, Odwene, Odzori, Okoue, Orosun, Oshie, Otua, Otwa, Selema, Selena, Toti, Tte, Tu-teo, Tunteo, Ubara, Ya-bunde Regions of Distribution Africa, Central America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo Common Uses Carvings, Chemical derivatives, Flooring, Food containers, Joinery, Light construction, Poles, Posts, Tool handles, Turnery, Walking sticks Heartwood Color Yellow Red Orange Pink Brown Reddish brown Red Pale brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Grain Even Figure Straight Rippled (figure) Texture Medium Fine Medium Luster Medium Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Very durable Durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Toxicity Non-toxic Figure Distinct (figure) Growth rings (figure) Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Planing Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Turning Good results Easy to turn Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = very high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 14597 21597 psi Density 40 lbs/ft3 Weight 39 31 lbs/ft3 Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 1026 1518 kg/cm2 Density 641 kg/m3 References Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Kennedy, J.D.,1936,Forest Flora of Southern Nigeria,Government Printer Lagos Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra Leone Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. London Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13