Common Name(s): Afzelia, doussie, xylay, chanfuta, pod mahogany

Distribution: Tropical regions in Africa and Asia

Genus Size: Approximately 12 species

Mechanical Characteristics: Generally medium-high density and strength characteristics. Most species have very good dimensional stability and, after initial drying, experience little warpage.

Visual Characteristics: Heartwood is golden to reddish brown, superficially resembling mahogany (Swietenia genus). Pieces with burl or highly figured grain are also seen, with the latter sometimes being called xylay pattern.

Identification: Wood is diffuse porous, with few large to very large sized pores. Parenchyma around the large pores tends to be vasicentric, lonzenge, and confluent. Generally narrow rays. Many (but not all) Afzelia species have at least weakly-fluorescing heartwood when viewed under a blacklight.