Pericopsis angolensis is a deciduous small to medium-sized tree within the Fabaceae family.
Pericopsis angolensis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Genus: | Pericopsis |
Species: | P. angolensis
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Binomial name | |
Pericopsis angolensis (Baker) Meeuwen
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Pericopsis angolensis grows as a shrub or as a small to medium-sized tree capable of reaching 20 m tall, sometimes up to 27 m.[2] The bark of younger trees is often smooth but becomes fissurred and flaky when mature; the bark is light grey to brown in color and the slash is yellowish and fibrous.[2] Leaves are alternate and imparipinnately compound with stipules and petioles present. Leaflets are ovate to elliptical in shape, can reach up to 9.5 cm long and 5 cm wide, cuneate to rounded at the base and notched to rounded at the top.[2] The inflorescence is often arranged in panicles.
Its woods is hard and heavy and the heartwood is greenish brown and the sapwood yellow-grey.[3][4]
The species is native to Central and Tropical Africa, it is found in woodlands and wooded grassland. It is a common timber tree in the Miombo ecoregion.[2]
Methanol and chloroform extracts of the species resulted in the isolation of 3,9-dimethoxypterocarpan, a derivative of Isoflavanoids and 3,4,3',5'-tetrahydroxystilbene, a stilbenol.[3]
Its wood is used in construction and furniture making.[4]