SCIENTIFIC NAME
Millettia laurentii. Derivation: The genus name is in honor of Dr. Millett of Canton, China. The specific epithet is Latin for laurel-like.

FAMILY
Fabaceae or Leguminosae, the legume family; (Papilionaceae) the pea or pulse group.

OTHER NAMES
pallissandre, dikela, kiboto.

DISTRIBUTION
Wenge is found in open forests in the southern regions of Tanzania and Mozambique. This species also appears in the Congo region in periodically inundated swampy forests.

THE TREE
Wenge is a medium-sized tree growing 50 to 60 feet in height with a diameter of 30 or 36 inches. It reaches its greatest size in riverine forests where it is nurtured by the moist environment. The yellow or yellowish-gray bark is quite smooth and is a source of kino, a native name for the reddish exudate of condensed tannins. The leaves are alternate, compound, and imparipinnate with a swelling at the base of the rachis. There are between seven and nine pairs of opposite leaflets that are 4 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. The under surface is covered with very fine, white hairs. There is a terminal leaflet. Flowers are lilac-like, and the fruit is a woody, flat pod.

THE TIMBER
The sapwood is whitish, and the dark brown heartwood has fine, close, blackish veining resulting in a handsome appearance, especially on the tangential surface. The luster is low, and odor and taste are not distinct. The texture is coarse, and the grain is straight to slightly wavy. Average reported specific gravity is 0.65 to 0.78 (ovendry weight/green volume), equivalent to an air-dried weight of 51 to 62 pd. The wood is reported to have good resistance to bending and to shock.

SEASONING
Wenge seasons slowly but without much distortion. Average reported shrinkage values (green to ovendry) are 3.1 % radial and 5.8% tangential.

DURABILITY
Wenge is resistant to fungi and termites.

WORKABILITY
This timber is easy to work and veneers well, but polishing is difficult.

USES
Wenge is used for heavy construction, crossties, tool handles, furniture and cabinets. When a handsome and dark appearance is desired for flooring, wenge is especially attractive. The veneer is useful for decorative work in furniture and interior decoration. Woodworkers find wenge interesting for carving and turnery.

SUPPLIES
While there has never been an abundant supply on the North American market, in recent years more is being imported and commercial suppliers

Information from A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Second Edition, James H. Flynn, Jr. and Charles D. Holder, Editors. Forest Products Society, Madison, Wisconsin, 2001.

Photographs from MDArtworks