Podocarpaceae FAMILY Endangered

Afrocarpus usambarensis

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Afrocarpus usambarensis is an evergreen tree developing a domed crown at maturity; it can grow around 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be around 200cm in diameter[ 329 Title The Gymnosperm Database Publication Author Website http://www.conifers.org/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood, which is used locally and also traded. This species is under severe threat from illegal logging in the Chome Forest Reserve in Tanzania (evidence from aerial photography); the same type of saw pit exploitation is known from other locations. General deforestation and fires are also reducing the rainforest, which is usually limited in extent even naturally. This species is the most valuable and specifically targeted tree for (illegal) logging in this type of forest. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeEast and central Tropical Africa - Dr Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania

HabitatMontane evergreen rainforest and dry evergreen forest, mixed with co-dominant angiosperms; at elevations from 1,500 - 3,000 metres[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].