Description

PATRYS

Millettia stuhlmannii is a well known timber tree internationally exported for woodwork.

Only one subpopulation of this species exists in South Africa within an area of approximately 300 ha of communal grazing land.

Description

Millettia stuhlmannii (muangaila) is a very rare tree in South Africa.

It can reach 20–30 m in height, with a spreading crown. Mature trees have a trunk diameter of 1–1.5 m,

and the South African population has some trees with a stem circumference exceeding 3.5 m.

The bark surface is greenish grey and the bark of the South African population is very rough due to continuous debarking.

The tree has large compound leaves, greenish above and bluish green below, with 7 to 9 pairs of leaflets oppositely arranged, plus the terminal leaflet.

From a distance the leaves resemble those of Pterocarpus rotundifolius.

The shape of the leaflets varies from oval to elliptic-obovate. Leaves develop after flowering. It flowers at the beginning of the rainy season, from November to January.

Flowers are large, lilac to pinkish, on a long raceme up to about 35 cm long.

This tree bears flat woody pods which are covered with velvety hairs and curl when dry to release the seeds.

Please note – These scales are not stabilized, but properly air dried, ready to use. It is highly recommended to treat the wood with a high quality oil like Tung Oil or True Oil, just before final buffing/polishing.