About Afzelia xylocarpa (Kurz) Craib
Afzelia xylocarpa (Kurz) Craib is a tree species belonging to the legume family Fabaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia, where it grows naturally in deciduous forests of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Burma. Mature specimens can reach up to 30 metres in height, with a trunk diameter of up to 2 metres. The seeds of this tree are harvested for medicinal uses. Seed pulp from the tree can be used to make cigarettes, and both the bark and seeds are used as herbal medicine. The highly figured lumber of this species is often sold under the name Afzelia Xylay. The wood is used for ornamental woodturning, pens, knife handles, carvings, and musical instruments. In Cambodia, where the tree is locally called Beng, it is planted as a shading tree thanks to its wide-spreading branches. When planted along roadsides and waterways, it also acts as a good windbreak and provides protection against water-driven soil erosion.
