Millettia stuhlmannii

It is found in southern Tanzania, eastern Zimbabwe, Mozambique[2] and very locally in the Venda region of South Africa.[4] Though locally common or even dominant, over-utilization may deplete many populations. Besides harvesting for timber, their numbers are also depleted by unsustainable harvesting of bark and roots, which are employed for medicinal and magical purposes.[1]

The large compound leaves are greenish above and bluish green below, with one terminal and 7 to 9 pairs of opposite leaflets.[1] It is deciduous, with the foliage emerging before flowering time. The large, lilac flowers[1] appear from November to January as seasonal rains commence,[2] and are produced on long, pendulous racemes. The woody seed pods are flat and velvety, and release their seeds when they split open due to increasing torsion.[1] The root nodules have a symbiotic relationship with rhizobial bacteria.[2]

The flavonoid robinetin has been isolated in the heartwood and the α-amino acid (S)-canavanine has been isolated from the seeds.[5]

The highly priced and valued wood has a range of applications, including flooring, furniture, musical instruments and boat building. The heartwood is very durable, as it is not affected by fungi, dry-wood borers or termites, but the sapwood is vulnerable to powderpost beetles.[2] It is locally sawn, and exported legally from Tanzania and Mozambique, especially Zambezia Province.[2] It accounts for some 45% of timber legally exported from Tanzania, and much of it is bought by Chinese buyers, who in turn re-export a portion to the West.[2]

• Millettia stuhlmannii
• Millettia laurentii