Cordia africana

Cordia africana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	(unplaced)
Family:	Boraginaceae
Genus:	Cordia
Synonyms
White Manjack

Cordia africana is a species of flowering tree in the borage family, Boraginaceae, that is native to Africa. It is sometimes called Cordia Abyssinia which implies that it may have first been identified from examples growing there.^[1]

Uses

Cordia africana has been used in the manufacture of drums. The Akan Drum which is now in the British Museum was identified as being of African manufacture because it was found to be made from this tree.^[2] It is also sometime called Sudan Teak and has been used for cabinet making, high-quality furniture, veneers and general construction. The wood can be used to manufacture beehives which can be kept in this tree where the bees can live off the plentiful supply of nectar which comes from the flowers. In addition the tree supplies leaves for forage and an edible fruit.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Cordia africana". AgroForestryTree Database. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=588. Retrieved 4 October 2010. 
2. ^ MacGregor, Neil. "Akan Drum". A History of the World in 100 Objects. BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/about/transcripts/episode86/. Retrieved 4 October 2010.