Guibourtia
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Guibourtia is a flowering plant genus in the family Fabaceae (legume family). It contains 16 species, native to tropical regions of Africa (13 species) and South America (3 species).[1] They occur in swampy or periodically inundated forests, as well as near rivers or at lakeshores.
They are evergreen trees growing to 40–50 m tall, with a trunk diameter of 1–2 m, often with a heavily buttressed trunk.[2]
[edit] Species
- Africa
- Guibourtia arnoldiana (De Wild. & T.Durand) J.Léonard
- Guibourtia carrissoana (M.A.Exell) J.Léonard
- Guibourtia coleosperma (Benth.) J.Léonard
- Guibourtia conjugata (Bolle) J.Léonard
- Guibourtia copallifera Benn.
- Guibourtia demeusei (Harms) J.Léonard
- Guibourtia dinklagei (Harms) J.Léonard
- Guibourtia ehie (A.Chev.) J.Léonard
- Guibourtia leonensis J.Léonard
- Guibourtia pellegriniana J.Léonard
- Guibourtia schliebenii (Harms) J.Léonard
- Guibourtia sousae J.Léonard
- Guibourtia tessmannii (Harms) J.Léonard
- South America
- Guibourtia chodatiana (Hassl.) J.Léonard (sometimes included in G. hymenaefolia[3])
- Guibourtia confertiflora (Benth.) J.Léonard
- Guibourtia hymenaefolia (Moric.) J.Léonard
Source:[1]
[edit] Uses
The genus is well-known for its luxury timbers. The best-known timber is bubinga (Guibourtia demeusei, aka kevazingo). Another is ovangkol. Species of Guibourtia also produce Congo copal.
The wood is often used by luthiers for harps and other instruments, such as bass guitars, because of its mellow and well-rounded sound. It has been used in drum shells as well. Drum companies such as Tama offer various high-end drum kits with plies of Bubinga in the shells[4].
Bubinga is sometimes used in the production of archery bows, in particular as the main wood of the handle in some flat bows.
Bubinga is also used in furniture making, usually for tables, as large slabs of the dense wood can be cut, and with very little manipulation, be used for a table top.
They are known to produce chalconoids (chalcones), relatives of medically important chemicals called stilbenes, one famous one being resveratrol.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ a b International Legume Database & Information Service: Guibourtia
- ^ Translated from the German wikipedia article Guibourtia
- ^ GRIN: Guibourtia chodatiana
- ^ Tama Bubinga Drums
