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Microberlinia brazzavillensis - A.Chev.

Common Name Zingana
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Coastal forest[338 ].
Range Western tropical Africa - Congo, Gabon.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Microberlinia brazzavillensis Zingana


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Microberlinia brazzavillensis Zingana
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Summary

A large tree growing up to 45 m in height, Zingana or Microberlinia brazzavillensis is a specialty timber tree grown in Congo and Gabon in Africa. It has a straight and cylindrical bole that can be up to 150 cm in diameter, and short buttresses. It has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria which form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Its wood is highly durable and resistant to the attack of termites and wood rotting fungi. It is used for decorative veneers and turnery, tool handles, and ski manufacture. It is also known in other common names such as zebrano and allen ele.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Microberlinia brazzavillensis is an evergreen Tree growing to 35 m (114ft) by 30 m (98ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Furniture  Wood

Other Uses The heartwood is pale yellow brown with narrow darker streaks, the striping pattern varies considerably; it is clearly demarcated from the white sapwood, which is up to 10cm wide[316 ]. The texture is medium to coarse; the grain usually wavy or interlocked; lustrous; an unpleasant odour disappearing upon drying[316 ]. The heartwood is durable and resistant to termite attack. The wood saws fairly well, although a clean smooth finish is sometimes difficult to obtain with machine or hand planing; it has good gluing properties, although veneers need careful handling to avoid cracking[316 ]. A speciality timber, it is used for decorative veneers and turnery; because of its high toughness it is also used in ski manufacture, tool handles etc[316 , 349 ].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed -

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Zingana

Native Range

AFRICA: Congo, Gabon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Vulnerable A1c

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Microberlinia bisulcataZinganaTree35.0 10-12 FLMNM004

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

A.Chev.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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