{{Short description|Species of legume}} {{Speciesbox |image = Pterocarpus erinaceus MS 4178.JPG |status = EN |status_system = IUCN3.1 |status_ref = <ref name = "IUCN" /> |taxon = Pterocarpus erinaceus |authority = Poir. }}
'''''Pterocarpus erinaceus''''' is an endangered<ref name=IUCN>{{citation |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/62027797/62027800 |title=IUCN Red List |date=2017 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T62027797A62027800.en|accessdate=4 March 2021|doi-access=free}}</ref> tree species native to the Sahelian region of West Africa. It is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.<ref>{{citation |title=CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora |url=https://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php |chapter=Appendices |accessdate=15 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Consideration of Proposals for Amendment of Appendices I and II |url=https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/17/prop/SN_Pterocarpus_erinaceus.pdf |accessdate=15 December 2019}}</ref> It is used for fuel wood, for medicinal purposes, as a woodworking material, and is useful as a nitrogen-fixing plant to improve nutrient-depleted farming land. It has several common names, including '''kosso''',<ref name=IUCN/> '''barwood''',<ref>{{PLANTS|id=PTER|taxon=Pterocarpus erinaceus|accessdate=15 October 2015}}</ref> '''African kino tree''', '''muninga''', and '''''vène'''''; '''''mukwa''''' is used for this species as well as other ''Pterocarpus''. Groves of the tree can be found on the savannahs of West Africa, but it is becoming increasingly rare and is sometimes cultivated. The tree also grows in forests of Comoé National Park in Côte d'Ivoire, a region geographically close to the Sahel but with a higher moisture regime due to its location between two large rivers. Also, the tree grows in abundance in Kurmi Local Govt. of Taraba State in Nigeria. The tree grows to about 11 meters in height on average, and bears dark, scaly bark and yellow flowers. The fruits are winged pods. ''P. erinaceus'' grows well on sunny, hot African plains with long dry seasons and frequent fires.
The wood, which varies from yellowish to rosy reds and rich browns, is valued for woodworking, and makes good charcoal and fuel wood. The tree exudes a red sap called ''kino'', which is used as a dye in tanning and cloth-making. As a legume, the tree harbors rhizobia that return nitrogen to the soil, making it more fertile. Such plants are desirable on farmland. In addition, the foliage is a nutritious fodder for farm animals. Mali has an active market for ''P. erinaceus'' foliage, which is in high demand by sheep farmers for fodder. The tree has several medicinal uses, including reduction of fever and cough suppression.<ref>[http://www.winrock.org/fnrm/factnet/factpub/FACTSH/P_erinaceus.html ''Pterocarpus erinaceus'': An important legume tree in African savannas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815154655/http://www.winrock.org/fnrm/factnet/factpub/FACTSH/P_erinaceus.html |date=2009-08-15 }}</ref>
''Pterocarpus erinaceus'' is one of the traditional djembe woods. It is also the only wood used to make the keys and part of the frame of the balafon and is the most common wood used to make the neck of the kora.
''Pterocarpus erinaceus'' was brought to Europe in the 19th century by the Scottish explorer Mungo Park. Currently, it is a threatened due to overexploitation, environmental degradation, and climatic changes. However, the tree is somewhat prolific and easy to cultivate, so reforestation efforts have shown some success.
Other names for the tree include '''''bani''''' in Fulfulde, '''''tolo''''' in Djerma, '''''wén''''' in Wolof and '''''ban''''' in Serer.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/ag/aGp/agpc/doc/Gbase/DATA/PF000396.HTM |title=FAO Species Profile |access-date=2006-10-21 |archive-date=2007-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312174417/http://www.fao.org/ag/aGp/agpc/doc/Gbase/DATA/PF000396.HTM |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{WestAfricanPlants|Pterocarpus erinaceus}} {{Taxonbar|from1=Q148770}}
erinaceus Category:Flora of West Tropical Africa Category:Trees of Africa Category:Flora of Ivory Coast Category:Plant dyes Category:Flora of West-Central Tropical Africa
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