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'''''Entandrophragma cylindricum''''', commonly known as the '''sapele''' or '''sapelli''' ({{IPAc-en|s|ə|ˈ|p|iː|l|iː}} {{respell|sə|PEE|lee}}), is a large [[tree]] native to tropical [[Africa]]. The tree is also known as '''aboudikro'''. There are protected populations and felling restrictions in place in various countries.
'''''Entandrophragma cylindricum''''' is a [[tree]] of the genus ''[[Entandrophragma]]'' of the family ''[[Meliaceae]]''. It is commonly known as '''sapele''' or '''sapelli''' ({{IPAc-en|s|ə|ˈ|p|iː|l|iː}} {{respell|sə|PEE|lee}}), as well as '''aboudikro''', '''assi''' and '''muyovu'''.


==Description==
==Description==
''Entandrophragma cylindricum'' is native to tropical [[Africa]].<ref>http://www.worldagroforestry.org/usefultrees/pdflib/Entandrophragma_cylindricum_UGA.pdf Entandrophragma_cylindricum - World Forestry]</ref> There are protected populations and felling restrictions in place in various countries.
''Entandrophragma cylindricum'' grows to a height of up to 45 m (rarely 60 m). The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[deciduous]] in the [[dry season]], alternately arranged, pinnate, with 5-9 pairs of leaflets, each leaflet about 10&nbsp;cm long. The [[flower]]s are produced in loose [[inflorescence]]s when the tree is leafless, each flower about 5&nbsp;mm diameter, with five yellowish petals. The [[fruit]] is a pendulous [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] about 10&nbsp;cm long and 4&nbsp;cm broad; when mature it splits into five sections to release the 15-20 [[seed]]s.

The species grows to a height of up to 45 m (rarely 60 m). The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[deciduous]] in the [[dry season]], alternately arranged, pinnate, with 5-9 pairs of leaflets, each leaflet about 10&nbsp;cm long. The [[flower]]s are produced in loose [[inflorescence]]s when the tree is leafless, each flower about 5&nbsp;mm diameter, with five yellowish petals. The [[fruit]] is a pendulous [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] about 10&nbsp;cm long and 4&nbsp;cm broad; when mature it splits into five sections to release the 15-20 [[seed]]s.<ref>[https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/sapele/ Sapele - The Wood Database]</ref>


==Uses==
[[File:Arraymbira.jpg|thumb|left|180px|An [[array mbira]] made of sapele wood]]
[[File:Arraymbira.jpg|thumb|left|180px|An [[array mbira]] made of sapele wood]]
The commercially important [[wood]] is reminiscent of [[mahogany]], a member of the same family, with a distinctive [[Figure (wood)|figure]], typically applied where figure is important. It has a density of 640&nbsp;kg/m{{sup|3}}. Demand for sapele, often marketed as "African mahogany," has increased sharply as a mahogany substitute in recent years due to genuine mahogany (''Swietenia macrophylla'') becoming a [[CITES#Appendix II|CITES Appendix II]] listed species.


==Uses==
Among its more exotic uses is that in musical instruments. It is used for the back and sides of acoustic guitar bodies, as well as the bodies of electric guitars. It is also used in manufacturing the neck piece of [[ukulele]]s and 26- and 36-string harps. In the late 90s, it started to be used as a board for Basque percussion instruments [[txalaparta]]. Sapele internal doors (normally a thin veneer of the wood on a cardboard honeycomb inner structure) were very popular in the United Kingdom during the 1980s and 1990s, although uncommon now.
The commercially important [[hardwood]] is reminiscent of [[mahogany]], and is a part of the same ''Meliaceae'' family. It is darker in tone and has a distinctive [[Figure (wood)|figure]], typically applied where figure is important. It has a density of 640&nbsp;kg/m{{sup|3}}. Demand for sapele increased as a mahogany substitute in recent years due to ''[[Swietenia macrophylla|genuine mahogany]]'' becoming a [[CITES#Appendix II|CITES Appendix II]] listed species.<ref>[https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/mahogany-mixups-the-lowdown/ Mahogany Mixups: the Lowdown - The Wood Database]</ref> It is used in the manufacture of furniture, joinery, veneer and boat building.

Among its more exotic uses is that in musical instruments. It is used for the back and sides of acoustic guitar bodies, as well as the bodies of electric guitars. It is also used in manufacturing the neck piece of [[ukulele]]s and 26- and 36-string harps. In the late 90s, it started to be used as a board for Basque percussion instruments [[txalaparta]].


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 13:49, 10 August 2018

Sapele
Entandrophragma cylindricum
A sapele tree in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
(unranked):
(unranked):
(unranked):
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
E. cylindricum
Binomial name
Entandrophragma cylindricum

Entandrophragma cylindricum is a tree of the genus Entandrophragma of the family Meliaceae. It is commonly known as sapele or sapelli (/səˈpl/ sə-PEE-lee), as well as aboudikro, assi and muyovu.

Description

Entandrophragma cylindricum is native to tropical Africa.[2] There are protected populations and felling restrictions in place in various countries.

The species grows to a height of up to 45 m (rarely 60 m). The leaves are deciduous in the dry season, alternately arranged, pinnate, with 5-9 pairs of leaflets, each leaflet about 10 cm long. The flowers are produced in loose inflorescences when the tree is leafless, each flower about 5 mm diameter, with five yellowish petals. The fruit is a pendulous capsule about 10 cm long and 4 cm broad; when mature it splits into five sections to release the 15-20 seeds.[3]

An array mbira made of sapele wood

Uses

The commercially important hardwood is reminiscent of mahogany, and is a part of the same Meliaceae family. It is darker in tone and has a distinctive figure, typically applied where figure is important. It has a density of 640 kg/m3. Demand for sapele increased as a mahogany substitute in recent years due to genuine mahogany becoming a CITES Appendix II listed species.[4] It is used in the manufacture of furniture, joinery, veneer and boat building.

Among its more exotic uses is that in musical instruments. It is used for the back and sides of acoustic guitar bodies, as well as the bodies of electric guitars. It is also used in manufacturing the neck piece of ukuleles and 26- and 36-string harps. In the late 90s, it started to be used as a board for Basque percussion instruments txalaparta.

References

  1. ^ Hawthorne, W. (1998). Entandrophragma cylindricum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 1998: e.T33051A9753619. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33051A9753619.en. Downloaded on 21 July 2018.
  2. ^ http://www.worldagroforestry.org/usefultrees/pdflib/Entandrophragma_cylindricum_UGA.pdf Entandrophragma_cylindricum - World Forestry]
  3. ^ Sapele - The Wood Database
  4. ^ Mahogany Mixups: the Lowdown - The Wood Database