THE GOLD COAST
Area, 80,000 square miles.
During 1909, a most interesting and exhaustive _Report on the Forest of
the Gold Coast_, as well as Ashanti and the Northern Territories, was
written by Mr. H. N. Thompson, the Chief Conservator of Forests of
Nigeria. As a result of this Report, a Forest Department was formed in
1910. This Forest Department now consists of a Conservator, Deputy, and
three Assistant Conservators of Forests. However, legislation for the
proper preservation of the forest and creation of Forest Reserves has
not been passed, so that the scope of the Forest Department’s usefulness
has been much curtailed.
It would be quite superfluous here to try and describe the forests in
such a masterly fashion as has been done by Mr. Thompson, but anyone who
is interested in the Gold Coast Forests should read the Report for
themselves. It will suffice to give an outline of the main features of
the Forest Administration and a general description of the forests.
With the author’s permission I have given a list of the timber-trees,
together with the botanical names, so far as they are known.
The people of this very rich country have in a short-sighted way very
much hindered real progress in Forestry by refusing to assist in the
creation of Forest Reserves. Forest Reserves are, of course, simply
forest permanently set aside for the production of timber or other such
forest products. The people of the Gold Coast have, apparently, judging
by extracts from the local Press, got the idea into their heads that the
making of a Forest Reserve necessarily means the ownership of the land
on which the forest stands passing into the possession of the
Government. This, of course, is quite a contrary view to the true
conception of a Forest Reserve, which is an area set apart by the
Supreme Government as a forest for the permanent production of timber,
etc., and usually managed by the Forest Department of the country. It
may be a State forest, a communal forest, a municipal forest, or even a
private forest which is thus placed under Forest Laws as a Forest
Reserve. The user (that is, the man who has the right of usufruct in it)
is not generally in a position to protect it thoroughly, and to some
extent foregoes present temporary profits for future permanent returns.
The diverse forms of forests named above, under the permanent management
of the State, are seen in Switzerland, Germany, France, Russia, Japan,
and India, not to mention Nigeria, so that it cannot be called an
isolated system.
The cocoa industry has quite overshadowed that of collecting palm fruit,
making palm oil, and cracking of palm nuts to obtain the kernels, with
the result that these exports are small compared with Sierra Leone even,
which is a much smaller colony, with a climate less propitious for palm-
trees.
The following table shows the exports for the last five years:
Tons. £
1909 14,553 113,784
1910 14,252 185,058
1911 13,254 175,890
1912 14,629 205,365
1913 9,744 159,128
In the year 1913 forest produce, in the shape of logs, etc., to the
value of £3,327,743 was exported. It would be disastrous to the country
if a few loud-voiced, narrow-minded people were to prevent proper
measures being adopted for the welfare of the country. Considering their
previous education and small experience in these wide economic matters,
it is only natural that they should take this view, but, on the other
hand, that is no reason why the Supreme Government should not do what is
necessary for the future permanent benefit of the country. A child is
not allowed to play with fire, although it may very much like to see the
flames; in the same way the British people, as locally represented by
the Gold Coast Government, cannot allow the inhabitants of the district
to play fast and loose with their priceless treasures, the African
forests, well knowing that the country will be permanently injured
thereby. Examples are to be found to-day of countries which have allowed
their forests to be destroyed. Spain and Portugal are typical of this,
and even in Africa one has the spectacle of France putting untold
millions into Forestry in Algeria in order to restore the rainfall.
Morocco and Mesopotamia are further examples of countries in a similar
condition, where the forests have been destroyed. Palestine, with its
ancient forests of Lebanon, is the most drastic example of forest
destruction, quite apart from Turkish misrule. A similar process has
taken place in the Soudan, and this locality is only now being
laboriously re-afforested by the Forest Department there. In India,
European countries, Canada, Australia, and in the United States it has
been proved that it is only by a central Government Agency that the
forests will be properly preserved both for this generation and the
next; therefore, before it is too late, it behoves the Gold Coast people
to recognise their responsibility to future generations and allow the
necessary legislation, so that the forests may be preserved and rightly
utilised.
LIST OF INDIGENOUS TREES AND RUBBER VINES
(From Mr. H. N. Thompson’s Report on the Gold Coast Forests.)
=Pandanaceæ.=
_Pandanus sp._ Ntung (Fanti); Ntung (Ashanti); Ndau (Apollonian); Ndau
(Aowin); Ekpa (Krepi).
Screw Pine. Often found near villages on the coast and where drier
conditions prevail, in sheltered spots. Reaches height of 30 feet.
Leaves used in mat-making.
=Gramineæ.=
_Bamboo sp._
Some of these attain a great height. Used for many purposes by the
natives.
=Cyperaceæ.=
_Bulbostylis barbata_.
_Bulbostylis laniceps_.
Quite small trees.
=Palmæ.=
_Ancistrophyllum sp._ Eye (Fanti).
Large kind of rattan. Scandent palm.
_Borassus flabellifer_. Makube (Fanti); Makube (Ashanti); Kube
(Akwapim); Malankwi (Apollonian); Ago (Quitta); Ago (Krepi); Ago
(Accra).
_Borassus æthiopica_.
The wood, exclusive of pith, extremely hard. Pericarp of nut edible.
Savannah forests.
_Raphia vinifera_. Adube and Doka (Fanti); Doka (Ashanti); Tombo
(general West Coast); Doka (Apollonian); Doka (Aowin); Alati (Quitta);
Alati (Krepi).
_Raphia Hookeri_.
Wine (from stem) and bamboo palm. Piassava fibre prepared from the
rachis and the leaves, poles from bamboo in building; pinnæ for
baskets and thatch. Seed beaten to pulp thrown in water to catch fish.
_Elæis Guineensis_. Abe (Fanti); Arere, Abeletia (Apollonian); Beteng
(Aowin); Ede (Quitta); Ede (Krepi).
Oil Palm of commerce. Derived from this tree, also, the chief supply
of palm wine and piassava fibre. The coast natives use the leaf rachis
for building and the leaves for thatch.
_Calamus Barteri_.
Scandent palm.
_Calamus deerratus_. (West) Uwatia and Oyea (Ash.) (Ashanti).
The common rattan; marshes.
_Cocos nucifera_. Kube (Fanti); Kukwi (Ashanti); Ajui (Aowin); Eue
(Quitta); Eavune (Krepi); Hukwi (Axim).
Cocoanut, found in the vicinity of villages on the coast, sometimes
inland.
_Fan Palm_ or _Doum_. Ago (general West Coast).
Wood provides beams for building; fruit edible; leaves for thatching;
and a strong wine is made from the stem.
_Phœnix reclinata_, or Wild Date Palm. Euchresia (Fanti); Mileishia
(Apollonian); Mileishia (Aowin); Aeyedi (Quitta); Iedi (Krepi).
A small date palm; grows on the sea-shore. Fruit edible. The terminal
buds are cooked as a vegetable. A wine is made from the stem.
=Liliaceæ.=
_Sansevieria_.
Small tree, fibre-yielding.
_Dracæna arborea_.
40 feet in height.
_Dracæna Mannii_.
30 feet in height. Yields a light-coloured dye.
_Dracæna surculosa_.
=Ulmaceæ.=
_Trema affinis_.
A small tree.
_Trema Africana_.
Small tree of secondary forest.
=Moraceæ.=
_Ficus sp._ Shedua or Abonsandua (Twi); Mousandua or Okitsiwanfu
(Fanti); Shedua (Ashanti); Adowa (Apollonian); Adowa and Dupain
(Aowin); Kapro (Grunchi); Aiu (Krepi); Kingkanga (Hausa).
Some Ficus are tapped for rubber, others fruited. This species is a
large, smooth-barked tree.
_Ficus platyphylla_.
Fruit edible, cf. _Vogelii_, and in great demand.
_Ficus Vogelii_.
Medium-sized tree. Latex extracted by tapping. A good shade tree.
_Ficus asperifolia_. Yankran (Fanti).
Savannah forests. Called Sandpaper Tree, because the rough leaves are
used to smooth planks. The ashes are used in making dyes.
_Ficus elegans_.
_Ficus eriobotryoides_.
_Ficus Ottoniæfolia_.
_Ficus triangularis_.
_Musanga Smithii_. Juma (Wassaw); Ajama (Fanti); Ajama (West), Ojamba
(Ashanti); Eguni (Apollonian); Egeun (Aowin); Ajama (Krepi).
The Umbrella or Corkwood Tree; used as buoys for fishing-nets in
Apollonia, and roof shingles in Ashanti.
_Myrianthus arboreus_. Niankuma (Fanti); Niankuma (Ashanti); Niankuma
(Apollonian); Niangama (Aowin).
The fruit is eaten by the natives.
_Myrianthus serratus_.
Small tree with edible fruit.
_Antiaris sp._ Chenchen (Twi).
A large tree, the timber of which is liable to attacks by white ants;
when seasoned, used for planks. The latex is one of the chief rubber
adulterants.
_Antiaris toxicaria_. Ofu, Ohonton (Fanti).
_Antiaris Africana_.
_Chlorophora excelsa_. Odoum or Odum (Twi).
Timber very hard and durable; not easy to export, because it will not
float in its green state. A large and valuable timber-tree found in
the fringing forests, the driest parts.
=Urticaceæ.=
_Urera_.
A small tree, very common. Fibre very useful.
=Olacaceæ.=
_Coula edulis_.
Medium-sized tree with edible fruit.
_Olax subscorpoidea_.
=Anonaceæ.=
_Anona Senegalensis_.
The wild Custard Apple. Fruit edible.
_Anona palustris_.
Fruit edible. Both these grow in savannah forests. Roots used in
making floats.
_Monodora brevipes_.
Found in mixed deciduous forests.
_Monodora tenuifolia_. Dubiddi (Ashanti).
_Hexalobus grandiflora_.
A large, handsome tree.
_Xylopia parviflora_.
_Xylopia striata_.
Xylopias all small trees, except _Æthiopica_.
_Xylopia Æthiopica_.
A fairly large tree. Wood resists attacks of white ants. Used for
native house-posts.
=Myristicaceæ.=
_Pycnanthus Kombo_. Ote (Twi). Oti or Etsu (Fanti); Oti (Ashanti); Tika
(Apollonian); Attenli (Aowin); Oti (Accra).
The timber is useful for domestic purposes, roof shingles, etc. A
fatty oil is obtained from the seeds. A medium-sized tree, straight-
stemmed; wood not durable.
=Lauraceæ.=
_Tylostemon Mannii_.
A small tree.
=Rosaceæ.=
_Parinarium sp._ Affram (Twi).
Wood used by natives for building purposes.
_Parinarium curatellæfolium_.
Very common locally. The fruit edible.
_Parinarium robustum_.
Very little known about this tree.
_Parinarium polyandrum_.
In the savannah forests.
_Parinarium mobola_.
Small tree, but good timber. Fruit edible.
_Chrysobalanus ellipticus_. Ababele (Apollonian).
Found near fresh-water lagoon. The fruit of a blue colour, small and
edible.
=Connaraceæ.=
_Cnestis ferruginea_.
_Agelæa obliqua_.
=Leguminoseæ.=
_Piptadenia sp._ Dahumah (Twi); Adadawa (Wassaw).
A large species.
_Piptadenia Africana_. Dahomah (Twi); Odahuma (Wassaw).
Feathery foliage. Fruit a pod 1 foot long, 1 inch broad. A common
forest tree; hard timber, good for railway sleepers.
_Cylicodiscus Gabonensis?_ Denya (Twi); Odenya (Wassaw).
Very large tree of the evergreen forests.
_Daniellia Ogea_. Ahedua (Twi).
Gum Copal.
_Pentaclethra macrophylla_. Atawah or Althawah (Twi); Ekuana (Fanti).
The Oil-bean Tree. Fruit edible; vegetable oils and fats. Timber hard,
suitable for turnery.
_Detarium sp._ Biunwe (Twi).
A gigantic forest tree. Timber good.
_Detarium sp._ Bowiwunua (Twi).
Much like the first. Timber good.
_Detarium Senegalensis_. Bowiwasi (Fanti).
Not so large as other species; doubtful if the timber would be durable
on exposure to the atmosphere.
_Parkia filicoidea_.
Fruit edible. The Locust-bean Tree. Savannah forests.
_Peltophorum sp._ Memchin (Apollonian).
_Bauhinia reticulata_.
The bast fibres are very long and tough; used as ropes by the natives.
_Paradaniella thurifera_.
Balsam Copaiba Tree—wood oil. Timber of little value.
_Tetrapleura Thonningii Prekese_.
Feathery-leaved tree. Four-angled fruit (pod), edible. Used for
medicinal purposes. Wood of medium hardness.
_Xylia Evansii_. Samanta (Twi); Samantawa (Fanti).
_Pithecolobium altissimum_. Augwameatee (Aowin).
A medium-sized tree, growing on river banks. A good shade tree.
_Afrormosia laxiflora_. Duakobin or Duabayi (general West Coast).
A large tree. Timber good, reddish colour; has been sold in Liverpool
as satinwood. Canoes made from it.
_Afzelia Africana_. Opapao (Twi); Papao (Ashanti); Opapao (Akwapim).
A first-class, durable tree. Timber very valuable. The dominant tree
of the savannah forests. Pod 4 to 7 inches long. Used for railway
sleepers, furniture, and building purposes.
_Afzelia fastigiata_.
_Erythrophlœum Guineense_.
A fine, spreading tree of the savannah forests. Wood hard and durable;
used for building. The Sasswood or Ordeal Tree. The bark is poisonous;
infusions of it are used by the natives for the ordeal test,
especially on the Kroo coast. It regenerates freely from seed.
Impervious to attacks of white ants.
_Erythrophlœum micranthum_. Potedon (Wassaw); Potedon (Fanti); Potedon
(Ashanti); Potedon (Apollonian); Etsa (Krepi).
A reddish-brown coloured poison obtained from it.
_Tamarindus Indica_.
Wood very ornamental; fruit edible. The tree is found near the large
rivers Volta and Affram.
_Macrolobium Palisotii_.
_Macrolobium stipulaceum_.
_Macrolobium sp._ Wulfram (Fanti); Ofarm (Ashanti); Ndukwun
(Apollonian); Kotopapa (Krepi).
Common in marshy places.
_Macrolobium limba_.
_Macrolobium reticulatum_.
A medium-sized tree.
_Cynometra Afzelii_.
Cynometra all grow near streams.
_Cynometra Mannii_.
_Cynometra sp._
Fringing forests, close to streams.
_Pterocarpus esculentus_.
Found in the fringing forests. Small tree, of little use.
_Pterocarpus erinaceus_.
The Senegal Rosewood Tree. The savannah forests.
_Albizzia Brownei_.
Fringing forests. Valuable wood, rich brown colour; hard and very
durable. Height of tree about 100 to 120 feet, girth of 10 feet.
_Albizzia Angolensis_.
_Albizzia Abruana_.
_Albizzia fastigiata_.
Found on disused farms. The timber should be useful for local bridge-
making, etc., also furniture. A gum of little value obtained from it.
_Acacia Sieberiana_.
_Acacia catechu_.
A common tree, very gregarious, in open grass country. Catechu
procured from it. Similar to the species in Burma. The heartwood less
well developed than Burmese variety. Sometimes called the Cutch Tree.
Gum arabic.
_Baphia nitida_.
A small tree, frequently found, except in the driest parts. The
Camwood of commerce, though camwood is really the product of
Pterocarpus.
_Dialium Guineense_.
Known as Sierra Leone Tamarind. Very local; fruit edible.
_Berlinia acuminata_.
Medium-sized tree. Gum obtained from it. Ornamental wood; does not
work well.
_Berlinia Auriculata_.
A small tree.
_Berlinia Heudelotii_.
Medium height. Grows on river banks.
_Cassia bicapsularis_.
_Cassia fistula_.
Tree much like a laburnum, of medium size.
_Cassia tora_.
_Cassia alata_.
Flowers more brilliant than _C. fistula_. Found near villages.
_Cassia lophira_.
_Cassia Sieberiana_.
_Cassia Occidentalis_.
_Milletia Thonningii_.
_Milletia Zechiana_.
_Bussea Occidentalis_.
A small tree with bright-yellow flowers.
_Newtonia insignis_.
A tall tree with very smooth bark.
_Calpocalyx_.
A medium-sized tree of the evergreen forests.
_Lonchocarpus sericeus_.
Timber not much good; branches for hoe-handles.
_Lonchocarpus cyanescens_.
The young leaves for making blue dye.
_Entada Soudanica_.
A small, spiky tree; grows in dry, open country.
_Entada Abyssinica_.
Grows in savannah forests. Small tree.
_Dichrostachys nutans_.
_Ormosia laxiflora_.
A tree of about 30 feet in height, much gnarled and twisted.
_Copaifera salikounda_.
_Cylicodiscus Gabunensis_. Ajumkobi (Ashanti).
Sold as greenheart in the Liverpool market; 90 or 100 feet in height.
Very much like _Piptadenia Africana_.
_Distemonanthus Benthamianus_.
_Ecastaphyllum Brownei_.
A small white-flowered tree.
_Erythrina Senegalensis_.
A medium-sized tree, found chiefly in the dry parts. It has very
ornamental scarlet flowers.
=Linaceæ.=
_Hugonia acuminata_.
_Hugonia Planchoni_.
_Hugonia platysepala_.
_Hugonia octhocosum_.
The Hugonia species are all small trees growing on the sea-shore.
=Rutaceæ.=
_Zanthoxylum Senegalense_. Ainyere (Apollonian).
Timber good quality. Bark used medicinally. A tree of the fringing
forests—from a shrub on the sea-shore to a tree of 40 feet in height
inland.
=Simarubaceæ.=
_Hannoa Klaineana_. Feutia (Aowin).
A medium-sized tree. Timber soft.
_Irvingia sp._ Okurii (Ashanti).
Yields a latex copious white when tapped, but turning red on exposure.
Used as a rubber adulterant.
_Irvingia Barterii_.
One of the species that bears the Dika Nut or Wild Mango of commerce.
Edible. Vegetable oils and fats. Tree of medium size.
_Harrisonia Abyssinica_.
A small tree.
=Burseraceæ.=
_Boswellia Klaineana_.
The Ehye or Incense Tree. Timber good.
_Santiriopsis_.
Timber good.
=Meliaceæ.=
_Khaya anthotheca_. Kwabohri (Twi); Akwabohori (Fanti); Kwaboho
(Ashanti).
White Mahogany. Medium-sized tree; timber good.
_Khaya grandis_. Appapayi or Wausauwah (Twi).
A mahogany growing on the shores of the Sacred Lake. Fringing forests.
_Khaya Senegalensis_.
This tree attains the height of from 50 to 60 feet and a girth of 6
feet. Grows best in open dry-zone grass country. Not easy to export,
as it does not grow near waterways. A gum of little value obtained
from it.
_Khaya Punchii_.
Found in fringing forests, rainy districts and swamps. Timber very
useful in furniture-making.
_Khaya Ivoriensis_.
The principal mahogany-yielding tree (Mr. Thompson).
_Khaya caudata_.
_Khaya sp._ (_Dubon_ or _Dubini_). Dubini (Twi); Dubini (Wassaw);
Odupon or Dubini (Fanti); Odubin (Ashanti); Tiame Tiame (Apollonian);
Tiama Tiama (Aowin).
The ordinary mahogany of the moist evergreen forests.
_Khaya sp._ Krubua (Twi); Okunmankra (Fanti).
_Khaya sp._ Afana or Apurro (Twi); Appapyayi (Fanti).
Two small unidentified trees from the mixed forests.
_Lovoa Klaineana_ (_Pebedum_). Akwantanuro (Fanti); Kwantanura
(Ashanti).
Shipped sometimes as African Walnut. A good timber-tree, closely
resembling the teak in colour and structure. Very ornamental wood.
_Pynærtia ealænsis_. Kokotswi (Twi); Anchi (Fanti).
A good timber-tree, much used locally.
_Guarea sp._ Bossè (Twi).
A good timber-tree; appearance of cedar, and exported as such. Moist
evergreen forests.
_Pseudocedrela utilis_. Effnobrodidwa (Twi); Effnokonkonti (Ashanti).
Cedar; the largest of the species. A fine timber-tree.
_Pseudocedrela Kotschyii_.
Savannah forests; attains a great height. Timber hard, of reddish
colour, gnarled and twisted, so difficult to obtain timber of any
size. Used for building by the natives. Roots, bark and leaves used
medicinally (rheumatism).
_Pseudocedrela sp._ Tiama Tiama (Apollonian).
A new species of the cedars.
_Pseudocedrela cylindrica_. Peukwa (Twi); Punkwa (Wassaw); Tiama Tiama
(Apollonian).
This cedar produces excellent timber.
_Carapa Guianensis_. Osuabise (Akwapim); Asokoru (Apollonian); Asoroa
(Aowin).
A large tree of the fringing forests, growing on the banks of the
streams; sometimes shipped as mahogany. Vegetable oils and fats
obtained from it.
_Entandrophragma cylindricum_.
_Entandrophragma ferrugineum_.
_Entandrophragma macrophylla_.
_Entandrophragma Septentrionale_.
_Entandrophragma utilis_.
Found near Mansu and Supom. The timber of the Entandrophragma species
is exported under the name of cedar. The _cylindricum_ attains a
height of 100 feet. Wood gummy, and unsuitable for veneers. Sometimes
called “unscented mahogany.” The _utilis_ under the name of “sapele
scented wood.”
_Trichilia Heudelottii_.
A small tree of little value.
_Trichilia rubescens_.
Attains a height of 30 feet.
_Trichilia Prieuriana_.
Medium-sized tree with flaky bark and much-curled branches. Wood of
red colour, not unlike cedar, but close-grained and hard, and has a
tendency to twist when sawn.
=Malpigheaceæ.=
_Heteropterys Africana_.
Small tree; not very well known.
=Euphorbiaceæ.=
_Ricinodendron Africanus_. Assomah (Twi); Asoma (Fanti); Owama
(Ashanti).
In fringing forests on the banks of streams. Vegetable oils and fats
obtained from this tree. The wood is soft, but burns well; used by
natives as fuel.
_Bridelia micrantha_.
Small tree of the dry zone. A deep reddish-brown dye obtained from
this tree. It is made a fast colour by the admixture of old iron, such
as old kerosene tins, which seems an important part of the fixing.
_Macaranga Barterii_.
_Macaranga heterophylla_.
_Macaranga monandra_.
_Macaranga Rowlandii_.
These four Macaranga species are all small, little-known trees. The
Monandra species is a small cauliflorous tree.
_Mæsobotrya cauliflora_.
A small tree; has conspicuous red fruit.
_Mæsobotrya sparsiflora_.
A small, little-known tree.
_Megabaria Trillesii_. Chuiansa (Apollonian).
Small tree bearing poisonous fruit.
_Microdesmis puberula_. Aforwa (Wassaw); Offenma (Ashanti); Chuiansa
(Apollonian).
A small tree. Wood very useful in the making of agricultural
instruments, also chew-sticks.
_Uapaca Heudelottii_.
A large tree; very common on river banks.
_Hasskarlia didymostemon_.
A small tree; wood of little worth.
_Hymenocardia acida_.
_Hymenocardia Chevalieri_.
The Hymenocardia are both small trees of the savannah forests.
_Excœcaria_.
Small tree of the savannah forests.
_Phyllanthus reticulatus_.
Small tree of the savannah forests.
_Bridelia ferruginea_.
An antidote against poisons.
_Bridelia atroviridis_.
Not well known. About 10 feet in height. A small tree of the savannah
forests.
_Discoglypremna caloneura_.
A small tree of the savannah forests.
_Elæophorbia drupifera_. Kamhan (Fanti); Dudu (Apollonian); Ajurlo
(Krepi).
A small tree growing near the sea.
_Cleidion Gabunicum_.
A small tree. Chew-sticks obtained from it.
_Antidesma venosum_.
_Antidesma laciniatum_.
_Antidesma anbryanthum_.
A white latex obtained from it.
=Anacardiaceæ.=
_Spondias lutea_. Atwaba (Fanti); Atawa (Ashanti); Twani (Apollonian);
Tongoma (Aowin); Akukan (Quitta); Akukan (Krepi).
Found in the fringing forests. A very fine tree. Fruit edible, called
Hog-plum—like yellow plums in appearance; a sharp, acid taste, not
unpleasant.
_Odina sp._
A small, uncommon tree.
_Pseudospondias microcarpa_.
A fair-sized tree, not unlike the _Spondias lutea_.
_Trichoscypha_.
A small tree, little known.
=Celastraceæ.=
_Salacia debilis_.
A tall shrub, 20 feet in height.
=Icacinaceæ.=
_Apodytes Beninensis_.
A small tree, little known.
=Sapindaceæ.=
_Blighia sapida_. Takwadua (Twi); Takwadua (Wassaw).
Often planted near villages. A useful shade tree, and part of the
fruit edible, called Akee. In the forest a good-sized, straight tree.
Timber excellent; hard, good grain, and easily worked.
_Paullinia pinnata_.
A small tree or shrub.
_Phialodiscus unijugata_.
Small tree. Wood of little account.
_Lecaniodiscus_.
Small tree. Wood of little account.
_Eriocœlum_.
A river-side tree.
_Aphania_.
Small tree, little known.
_Deinbollia insignis_.
Small tree, little known.
=Melianthaceæ.=
_Bersama Chippii_.
A small ornamental tree with sweet-scented flowers.
=Rhamnaceæ.=
_Zizyphus Spina-Christi_.
A small tree with edible fruit. Wood very useful in cabinet-work.
_Lasiodiscus_.
A small, little-known tree.
_Zizyphus mucronata_.
A small tree of the savannah forests.
=Vitaceæ.=
_Leea_.
A small tree of the savannah forests. Fruit edible.
=Tiliaceæ.=
_Grewia carpinifolia_.
_Glyphæa Grewioides_.
_Triumfetta sp._
Three small fibre-yielding trees. The Grewia has brilliant yellow
flowers.
=Malvaceæ.=
_Hibiscus tiliaceus_.
A yellow-flowered tree. Wood durable under water.
_Thespesia populnea_. Fref (Fanti); Eijan (Apollonian).
A small tree growing on sea-shore.
=Bombacaceæ.=
_Bombax Buonopozense_. Akata (Twi); Akata (Denkira); Ekuba
(Apollonian); Eku (Aowin); Kafro (Grunchi); Agutesi (Krepi); Akronkron
(Accra).
The Silk Cotton Tree. Red-flowered. A tall tree with horizontal
branches with spiny protuberances. Grows in the mixed forests. It
yields a kapok (fibre) similar to the Eriodendrons.
_Bombax brevicuspe_. Kuntunkun (Twi); Kuntunkuni (Denkira).
A new species of cotton-tree. Timber used for canoes, bark for dye,
and cotton for native pillows.
_Bombax sp._ Eku (Twi); Nyi-nu-kobin (general West Coast); Akata
(Denkira); Ekuba (Apollonian); Ekui (Aowin); Kafro (Grunchi); Agutesi
(Krepi); Akronkron (Accra).
This species is confined to the rain forests of the maritime zone.
_Adansonia digitata_.
The Baobab Tree. The pulp of the fruit is eaten by the natives;
flavour acid. The seeds are washed, pounded and steeped in water for
ten days. The North-west Ashanti natives use it to flavour soup. This
tree is very rich in wood fibre, which realises from £9 to £10 per
ton, and is of great commercial value. A gouty-looking tree, and grows
in open country, rocky soil.
_Eriodendron anfractuosum_. Ongina (Twi); Enyena (Wassaw); Onyina or
Enyena (Fanti); Enyena (Ashanti); Enyenga (Apollonian); Enyo (Aowin);
Gung (Grunchi); Ofwho (Quitta); Ofwho (Krepi).
The white-flowered silk cotton-tree of the fringing forests, one of
the largest trees of West Africa. The wood is very light, and should
be useful in making light wood articles, such as boxes and toys, but
there is no market for it at present. The fibre is good, and the wood
should also make pulp in paper-making; but there is no market, owing
to the expense involved in collecting it.
=Sterculiaceæ.=
_Heritiera utilis_. Awabima (Twi); Pteryyota Wawampe’e (Ashanti);
N’yankon, Yankom or Yankun (general West Coast).
Good timber-tree, medium-sized.
_Sterculia cordifolia_. Wawapupuo (Twi); Duamenyi (Fanti).
Tall tree; height, 60 to 100 feet. The wood of little value, as it is
very soft. Found in the fringing and intermediate forests.
_Sterculia tomentosa_.
Height, 40 to 50 feet. Intermediate and fringing forests. The fruit
grows in clusters, kidney shaped, with a dense, reddish tomentum.
_Sterculia Barterii_.
Flowers when the tree is leafless—appears covered with red flame. The
wood is soft and of little value; it should make a good paper-pulp.
The inner bark used to make rope.
_Sterculia tragacantha_.
A medium-sized tree. Wood of little worth.
_Triplochiton Johnsonii_. Wawa or Wawwaw (Twi); Owawa (Wassaw).
A good timber-tree. Bark used locally for roofing. Strong, works well
and has satiny sheen. When used in exposed places it is subject to
dry-rot. Tall, straight-growing tree. Should be useful for inside
building.
_Cola Afzelia_.
Fringing forests. Monkey Cola. Fruit bright-red in colour, something
like Kola. Tree grows to a height of 40 or 50 feet.
_Cola laurifolia_.
A very small species.
_Cola acuminata_. Bessi (Ashanti); Esseri (Apollonian); Ewasi (Aowin);
Gwe (Grunchi); Evi (Quitta); Guru (Hausa).
The Kola Nut of commerce is obtained from this tree.
_Cola caricifolia_.
_Mansonia altissima_.
Timber-tree; useful for domestic purposes.
_Cola cordifolia_.
Found in the savannah forests.
_Cola sublobata_.
_Cola vera_.
The Hausa, supposed to be the best.
_Cola verticulata_.
Tree little known and of little value.
=Scytopetalaceæ.=
_Scytopetalum Tarquense_.
A small tree of the evergreen forests, bearing white flowers.
=Ochnaceæ.=
_Lophira procera_.
Lophira is also called the Kaku or Red Ironwood Tree; the most durable
timber of the West Coast. Very valuable as fuel; it has highly
calorific properties. It grows solely in the maritime zone, in swampy
land. It is of great weight, and will not float. Very useful for piles
in wharves, etc.
_Lophira alata_.
A very fine, tall tree, growing from 20 to 50 feet. The bark is dark
and rough; timber very hard and durable. The seeds are rich in oils.
The tree is sometimes mistaken for the Shea Butter Tree. Common in
open grass country.
=Guttiferæ.=
_Pentadesma butyraceæ_. Pija (Wassaw); Pija (Fanti); Ehukei
(Apollonian); Asuaindokun (Aowin); Bromabina (Axim).
Butter or Tallow Tree. An edible fat is obtained from the seeds. Also
used in soap-making. A thick yellow juice exudes from the tree when
cut. A fine tree.
_Allanblackia floribunda_. Suein (Apollonian); Anane (Axim).
Small tree, not well known.
_Garcinia Guineensis_. Ablari (Fanti).
A purgative is made from a decoction of the leaves.
_Haronga Madagascariensis_. Ngodua (Fanti); Kursua (Apollonian).
A yellow dye is obtained from the bark. The leaves are used as a
medicine for dysentery. There is a red watery exudation from the bark.
_Psorospermum_.
A large shrub, sometimes may be called a tree, in the savannah
forests.
=Cochlospermaceæ.=
_Cochlospermum tinctorium_.
A large shrub of the savannah forests. The bark is used in rope-
making. A yellow dye is obtained from the roots.
_Lindackeria dentata_.
A medium-sized tree.
=Violaceæ.=
_Alsodeia_. Notonima (Ashanti).
A shrubbery tree of little value.
_Smeathmannia pubescens_.
A shrubby tree with conspicuous white flowers.
=Flacourtiaceæ.=
_Oncoba echinata_.
A small tree with white cauline flowers.
_Oncoba Gilgiana_.
A large shrub.
_Oncoba dentata_.
A small tree.
_Rawsonia spinosa_.
A medium-sized tree.
_Smeathmannia pubescens_.
A shrubby tree with conspicuous white flowers.
=Lecythidaceæ.=
_Napoleona Vogelii_.
A small tree, grows by river banks. The wood is easily worked. Fruit
edible.
=Rhizophoraceæ.=
_Anopyxis ealænsis_. Kokoti (Wassaw); Anchi or Kokoti (Fanti); Abari
(Apollonian).
Good timber-tree, much used for fuel.
=Combretaceæ.=
_Combretum Afzelia_.
Found near rivers.
_Laguncularia racemosa_.
White Mangrove. Grows in swamps.
_Anogeissus leiocarpus_.
A tall tree, from 30 to 50 feet in height. The roots are used as chew-
sticks. The heartwood very durable, brown or blackish-brown. The grey
ash of sap and heart woods used as a mordant. Tannin and gum obtained
from this tree.
_Combretum Zenkerii_.
A large, shrubby tree.
_Combretum sp._ Esseah or Essia (general West Coast).
The “Stinkwood” Tree.
_Terminalia sp._ Emril, or Emil or Emiri (general West Coast).
The wood is used locally for shingles. In intermediate forests.
Branches in tiers or whorls. A huge tree, bark black.
_Terminalia superba_. Offram (Twi); Offram (Fanti).
Found in the fringing forests, of great height and extremely straight.
Branches in whorls, barely noticeable in the full-grown tree. Timber
medium strength and hardness, light coloured, with discoloured
patches. Works up very well, but of no great value for export.
_Terminalia macroptera_.
Found in the savannah forests.
_Terminalia Togoensis_.
A small tree of dry zone, of no particular value.
_Pteleopsis_.
A large tree. Timber little used.
_Strephonema Apoloniensis_.
A small tree, species little known.
=Myrtaceæ.=
_Eugenia Guineensis_.
A large tree. Work used for many purposes. Fruit edible and medicinal.
_Eugenia Owariensis_.
Grows in the dry zone. A spreading tree.
_Psidium Guajava_. Aduaba (Apollonian).
The Guava Tree. Fruit edible.
=Sapotaceæ.=
_Omphalocarpum sp._ Assoro (Twi); Ketibubaka (Aowin).
A workable wood obtained from it, also guttapercha. The seeds worn as
ornaments at their feasts by Apollonians.
_Mimusops multinervis_.
Grows to the height of 60 or 80 feet, with a corresponding girth.
Timber hard and durable, red in colour, with a fine grain. Its weight
and hardness are against its ordinary use, but it is a fine wood for
sleepers.
_Butyrospermum Parkii_. N’ku (Fanti); N’ku (Akwapim); Iakuni (Quitta);
Sakuni (Krepi).
Shea Butter Tree. One of the most valuable trees, found very
frequently. Bark thick, rough, and often gnarled and twisted. Flowers
creamy-white, leaves straplike. The fruit is something like a yellow
plum, ripe in May. It is very similar in appearance to the _Lophira
alata_, but the Shea butter tree exudes a white latex when cut; the
Lophira does not. Timber good, but as the tree is usually only from 20
to 30 feet in height (occasionally 50 feet), it is not large enough
for most purposes. The vegetable oil or butter has an agreeable
sweetish taste, much used in cooking.
_Mimusops sp._ Opapea (Twi); Opepeli (Fanti).
Vegetable oils from all the Mimusops species.
_Mimusops Djave_. Baku (Twi); Baku (Fanti); Baku (Ashanti); Makure
(Apollonian); Makwe (Aowin); Abaku (Accra).
Vegetable oils and fats obtained from _M. Djave_. A very good timber-
tree.
_Vincentella impressa_.
A new species. A large tree, found growing on the river banks.
_Chrysophyllum albidum_.
Edible fruit. Not so well known as _Chrysophyllum Africanum_.
_Chrysophyllum Africanum_.
The Star-apple Tree, often cultivated for its fruit, and also as a
shade tree.
=Ebenaceæ.=
_Diospyros mespiliformis_.
A tree of the fringing forests—the Ebony Tree. Very abundant. Of
medium size, 50 to 60 feet in height, 6 to 8 in girth. The heartwood
is usually streaked with brown. The larger trees are generally hollow.
_Diospyros Mombuttensis_.
_Diospyros xanthochlamys_.
=Oleaceæ.=
_Schrebera Golungensis_.
Found in the fringing forests. Very uncommon. A large tree; timber
very good.
=Loganiaceæ.=
_Strychnos emarginata_ and others.
_Anthocleista sp._
A medium-sized tree, near fresh-water swamps. Large white flowers.
Wood of no special value.
_Anthocleista magnifica_. Honum (Twi).
A small tree with very large leaves.
_Anthocleista nobilis_. Otendui (Fanti); Tendeba (Apollonian); Tendeba
(Aowin).
A small tree, of little value.
=Apocynaceæ.=
_Landolphia bracteata_.
A vine-like tree. Does not yield rubber.
_Landolphia ferruginea_.
Like the above.
_Landolphia Owariensis_. Pau (Twi); Kwantama (Wassaw); Opaina (Fanti);
Jama (Ashanti); Kwantama (general West Coast); Amale (Apollonian); Faia
(Aowin); Danko (Hausa); Jahdanko (Accra).
Two kinds of rubber obtained: “root-rubber,” after crushing the bark
and stems and washing out the rubber, or “white-ball,” by tapping and
scoring, and coagulating the latex as it exudes by lime-juice rubbed
on the bark. It is valued at 1s. 9d. to 2s. a pound, the root-rubber
at 1s. 6d. a pound.
_Landolphia florida_.
A quantity of milky juice which becomes a pasty mass, but has no
market value.
_Landolphia Droogmansiana_.
Good rubber obtained when growing in dry ground, worthless when in
swampy ground.
_Landolphia Senegalensis_.
_Landolphia Thompsonii_.
Widely spread in the fringing forests; does not yield good rubber,
only a pasty mass from the latex.
_Landolphia scandens_.
No yield of rubber.
_Landolphia Klainei_.
Inferior rubber.
_Carpodinus hirsuta_. Alibida (Hausa).
Very robust and hairy (hence its name). Found in mixed forest belts.
It yields a flake or paste rubber, extracted by tapping and coagulated
by boiling.
_Clitandra elastica_. Beckindanko (Hausa).
Yields a good rubber, sold at 1s. 3d. or 1s. 6d. a pound.
_Funtumia elastica_. Fruntum (Ashanti); Efunmundon (Apollonian);
Efunmundon (Aowin); Puni (Krepi).
The yield of this rubber-tree is called the Lagos or Silk rubber.
Found in the evergreen rain forests. Very little inferior to Para
rubber. The amount procured from _F. elastica_ is less than Para
rubber.
_Funtumia Africana_.
Spurious rubber-tree; though in appearance very much like _F.
elastica_, the leaves are coarser and pods longer. The latex, when
coagulated, forms a sticky mass like birdlime, sometimes used for
adulterating other latices.
_Alstonia Congensis_. Niamidua (Twi); Sindra (Ashanti); Nimeribaka
(Apollonian).
Wood rather soft; only fit for inside building or toy-making. It grows
best in the swamp country. A fairly large tree, slightly buttressed
with smooth bark. The natives mix the latex with rubber.
_Rauwolfia Cumminsii_.
_Rauwolfia vomitoria_.
A small tree, not over 20 feet in height.
_Polyadoa umbellata_.
Tree of 30 feet in height, growing in the fringing forests near
rivers.
_Holarrhena Wulfsbergii_.
Grows in the fringing forests. A tree with drooping branches. Flowers
white and fragrant. The wood is very soft, of little value.
_Voacanga Africana_.
A small tree, widely distributed. It has a milky latex, which is used
in adulterating rubber.
=Asclepiadaceæ.=
_Kanahia consimilis_.
A shrubby tree growing near water.
=Convolvulaceæ.=
_Prevostea Africana_.
A small tree, little known.
_Prevostea Heudelotii_.
Small tree; wood of no value.
=Borraginaceæ.=
_Cordia Irvingii_.
Found in the rain forests of the Okwawu hill system. Timber used
locally for shingles. A spreading tree, reaching to about 60 feet in
height.
_Ehretia cymosa_.
A small tree. Wood used for various purposes. Fruit edible and
medicinal.
=Verbenaceæ.=
_Lantana camara_.
Shrubby tree.
_Lippia adoensis_.
Shrubby tree.
_Vitex megaphylla_.
Both Vitex species grow in the savannah forests.
_Vitex cuneata_.
A common tree about 30 feet in height. Of no known value.
_Avicennia Africana_.
One of the tallest trees in the mangrove association, yielding a
workable wood, medicine and tannin.
_Clerodendron splendens_.
A shrubby tree.
=Bignoniaceæ.=
_Spathodea campanulata_. Osisiru (Ashanti).
A medium-sized tree, found in the fringing forests. Provides a useful
timber, medicine, and from the seeds an article of food. Large yellow
trumpet-shaped flowers.
_Dolichandrone lutea_.
A tree of about 30 feet in height.
_Kigelia pinnata_.
The fruit has a thick rind and is edible. Timber and drugs obtained
from it. Sometimes called Sausage Tree, from the sausage-shaped fruits
which hang down a long stalk. A small tree.
_Newbouldia lævis_. Sasanemasa (Ashanti).
An evergreen tree, from 30 to 40 feet in height. Pink trumpet-shaped
flowers. The natives use it as a boundary tree.
=Acanthaceæ.=
_Acantha montana_.
A shrubby tree having medicinal properties.
=Rubiaceæ.=
_Mitragyne macrophylla_. Baya (Twi); Yar-yar, or Ya-ya (general West
Coast); Baya (Aowin).
A large tree growing in the fresh-water swamps. Timber good.
_Sarcocephalus esculentus_. Kusia (Twi); Ekusawa (Fanti); Kishia
(general West Coast); Baya (Aowin).
Good timber, used locally. Wood of a golden yellow colour, very
ornamental, hard and durable, easily worked.
_Sarcocephalus Russegeri_. Osupawa (Fanti).
The Russegeri grows in the savannah forests.
_Gardenia tenuifolia_.
Fruit edible. A bushy, ornamental tree.
_Urophyllum hirtellum_.
A shrubby tree. Dyes obtained from it.
_Randia genipæflora_.
A small tree having fine trumpet-shaped flowers.
_Randia maculata_.
A bushy tree, very ornamental when in flower.
_Oxyanthus tubiflorus_.
A very ornamental shrub or small tree. Timber, dyes and medicine
obtained from it.
=Compositæ.=
_Vernonia conferta_.
A large-leaved, small tree. The timber of one variety fairly good.
_Flintwood_, not identified. Okisibisi (Fanti).
Good timber, used for mine-props.
APPENDIX
GOLD COAST—FOREST EXPORTS
------------+------------------+------------------+-------------------
| 1909. | 1910. | 1911.
Product. +----------+-------+----------+-------+----------+--------
|Quantity. | £ |Quantity. | £ |Quantity. | £
------------+----------+-------+----------+-------+----------+--------
Cola nuts | — | 93,850| — | 77,716| — | 93,099
| | | | | |
Lumber |9,838,959 | 82,937|14,938,749|148,122|13,975,196|138,836
| sup. ft. | | sup. ft. | | sup. ft. |
| | | | | |
Palm kernels| 11,598 |112,425| 14,182 |185,058| 13,254 |175,891
| tons | | tons | | tons |
| | | | | |
Palm oil |2,007,296 |120,978|2,044,868 |161,388|1,610,209 |128,916
| gals. | | gals. | | gals. |
| | | | | |
Rubber (raw)|1,233 tons|263,694|1,438 tons|355,876|1,191 tons|219,447
------------+----------+-------+----------+-------+----------+--------
TOTALS | 12,831 |673,884| 15,620 |928,160| 14,445 |756,189
| tons | | tons | | tons |
| | | | | |
|2,007,296 | |2,044,868 | |1,610,209 |
| gals. | | gals. | | gals. |
| | | | | |
|9,838,959 | |14,938,749| |13,975,196|
| sup. ft. | | sup. ft. | | sup. ft. |
------------+----------+-------+----------+-------+----------+--------
[Continued]
------------+------------------+------------------
| 1912. | 1913.
Product. +----------+-------+----------+-------
|Quantity. | £ |Quantity. | £
------------+----------+-------+----------+-------
Cola nuts | — |134,231| — |144,705
| | | |
Lumber |23,573,891|228,748|37,392,100|366,097
| sup. ft. | | sup. ft. |
| | | |
Palm kernels| 14,628 |205,364|9,744 tons|159,128
| tons | | |
| | | |
Palm oil |1,444,432 |112,885| 860,155 | 65,652
| gals. | | gals. |
| | | |
Rubber (raw)| 888 tons |168,729| 588 tons | 87,915
------------+----------+-------+----------+-------
TOTALS | 15,516 |849,957| 10,332 |823,497
| tons | | tons |
| | | |
|1,444,432 | | 860,155 |
| gals. | | gals. |
| | | |
|23,573,891| |37,392,100|
| sup. ft. | | sup. ft. |
------------+----------+-------+----------+-------