Triplochiton scleroxylon

{{Short description|Species of tree}} {{Speciesbox | image = Triplochiton scleroxylon K.Schum. (GH0301).jpg | image_alt = Specimen collected in Kakum National Park, Ghana | image_caption = Specimen collected in [[Kakum National Park]], [[Ghana]] |status = LR/lc |status_system = IUCN2.3 |status_ref = <ref name=iucn/> |genus = Triplochiton |species = scleroxylon |authority = [[Karl Moritz Schumann|K.Schum.]] }}

'''''Triplochiton scleroxylon''''' is a [[tree]] of the genus ''[[Triplochiton]]'' of the family ''[[Malvaceae]]''. The [[timber]] is known by the common names '''African whitewood''', '''abachi''', '''obeche''' (in [[Nigeria]]), '''wawa''' (in [[Ghana]]), '''ayous''' (in [[Cameroon]]) and '''sambawawa''' (in [[Ivory Coast]]). The tree is the official state tree of [[Ekiti State]], [[Nigeria]].<ref>{{Cite news |title= Ekiti adopts 'Obeche' as state tree, plants 500,000 |url=https://www.thehopenewspaper.com/ekiti-adopts-obeche-as-state-tree-plants-500000/ |location=Akure, Nigeria|newspaper=The Hope|date=24 March 2022 |access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>

==Description== The species is distributed over the tropical areas of [[West Africa]] and [[Central Africa]].<ref>[http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/details.php?langue=an&id=121127 African Plant Database]</ref>

==Uses== [[File:The National Archives UK - CO 1069-20-19.jpg|thumb|left|Workmen spraying the trunk of an obeche tree with [[Gammaxene]] to protect it against timber-boring insects]] The timber yielded is typically pale yellow and is moderately soft and light for a hardwood.<ref>[https://www.trada.co.uk/wood-species/obeche/ Wood Species Database: Obeche - TRADA]{{dead link|date=November 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[File:Abachi.JPG|thumb|left|Abachi wood]] The timber is used in the manufacture of veneer, furniture, picture frames and mouldings. It is also used by [[guitar]] makers. [[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]] and [[Fender Japan]] have used the wood to produce limited edition guitars.<ref>[https://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-japan-jb75-in-ayus-obeche.1217390/ Fender Japan JB75 in Ayus/Obeche - TalkBass.com]</ref><ref>[http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Jr-Doublecut-Exclusive.aspx Gibson.com - Gibson Les Paul Jr Doublecut]</ref>

The tree is a host of the African silk moth, ''[[Anaphe venata]]'', whose caterpillars feed on the leaves and spin cocoons which are then used to make [[silk]].<ref>[http://reforest-iita.org/home/93-the-african-whitewood-triplochiton-scleroxylon.html African whitewood (Triplochiton scleroxylon) - Reforet IITA]</ref>

The wood is exploited in its natural habitat, a harvest that is unsustainable in some areas. However, it remains classed as 'least concern' on the IUCN Red List.<ref name=iucn>African Regional Workshop (Conservation & Sustainable Management of Trees, Zimbabwe, July 1996). 1998. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/32174/0 ''Triplochiton scleroxylon''.] In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. Downloaded on 24 July 2013.</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Triplochiton|scleroxylon]] [[Category:Trees of Africa]] [[Category:Flora of Cameroon]] [[Category:Flora of Ivory Coast]] [[Category:Flora of Ghana]] [[Category:Flora of Nigeria]] [[Category:Flora of Sierra Leone]] [[Category:Least concern plants]] [[Category:Wood]]