Found growing in a region of Western Africa, from the Congo to Gaboon and Cameroon, this species is concentrated in the Province of Equator around Kisantu.

It has a deep, “special dark” chocolate coloration, with an open pore grain characteristic.  Logs can be flat sliced or quartered, depending on circumference, both of which are valuable in the veneer industry.  The logs must be cooked intensely prior to slicing, and must be sliced hot in order to maintain grain integrity.  It can be difficult to finish due to the open porosity of the wood, but as with most things worthwhile – it just takes time and patience.