African blackwood  (Dalbergia melanoxylon)

This small, unassuming tree conceals one of the most sought-after and valuable heartwoods in the world. Stripping away the yellowish grey sapwood reveals the deep purple to brownish black core, this wood is extremely resistant and durable and is known variously as African blackwood, African ebony, 'poyi' and (in Swahili) as 'mpingo' (2). These trees are small and heavily branched, the trunks are seldom straight and many stems may be present; the rough bark is grey with many fissures, and the branches have small spines (2). Leaves are up to 22 centimetres long and carry small, oval-shaped leaflets (2). In season, the branches of the African blackwood tree are adorned with tiny, white, sweetly-smelling flowers born as clusters on inflorescences, which may reach 12 centimetres in length (2). The seedpods of this tree are flattened oblong cases that are roughly pointed, and contain one or two seeds (2).