A vendor over at ebay has recently been posting ‘Hawaiian Afzelia’ for sale. For example, # 8285553250.
I am curious as to what type of afzelia it is, as there are apparently 13 different species of afzelia. None of which seem to be indigenous to Hawaii. I am also wondering if this Hawaiian afzelia would be plantation grown, harvest of naturalized trees in the forest, or perhaps harvest of urban wood, street trees, etc.
The vendor did not respond to my email questions, so I am hoping someone in this group can tell me.
Dan
Replies
This link http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/Data/Species_Pages/Page_F-K.html about forestry and agroforestry in Hawaii lists several species of Afzelia:
Intsia bijuga (syn. Intsia amboinensis, Intsia cambodiensis, Intsia madagascariensis, Intsia retusa, Afzelia bijuga, Afzelia cambodiensis, Afzelia retusa, Macrolobium bijugum), merbau, Borneo teak, island teak, Moluccan ironwood, kwila.
Family Fabaceae (Cesalpinioideae).
Native to Eastern Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, Malesia to Caroline Islands, Rotuma and Samoa.
Wood used as high class exterior windows, solid panel doors, framing, weatherboarding, flooring, furniture, stairs, handrails, poles, turnery, carving, musical instruments, building bridges, wharves, sluices and sheet piles.
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