Rosewood, one of the most famous of African jungle trees, is native to the rich tropical rain forests of Madagascar. The tree's name comes from the sweet, floral scent of its cut timber. Because of the rosewood's beauty and its high-gloss appearance, it is used extensively in furniture, musical instruments, chess pieces, ornaments, handles and luxury flooring. Overharvest of the Malagasy rosewood tree, however, has meant that it now faces extinction. Despite international bans on the cutting and import of endangered rosewood trees, illegal logging occurs throughout the jungles of Madagascar.
A member of the dogbane family, the Tabernanthe iboga tree grows in both jungles and savanna habitats throughout central Africa. It has highly fragrant flowers and orange berries. Tabernanthe iboga is most noted for its psychoactive properties that create feelings of euphoria, relaxation or mental stimulation. The root bark is medicinal as well as hallucinogenic, and it was used historically in religious rituals. However, it is illegal to use or possess in the United States.
A relative of Tabernanthe iboga, Alstonia boonei has been used for centuries in medicine, ritual and industry. It has a lightweight, cream-colored wood that may be used in light construction, molding, boatmaking, furniture, boxes, veneer, sculptures and plywood. Alstonia boonei is also a valuable firewood, and its leaves and latex possess medicinal properties. Alstonia boonei trees grow to nearly 150 feet in height. They are highly adaptable and can live in both tropical rain forests and semi-dry deciduous forests in Africa.
A close relative of the cinnamon tree, the candle bush grows as both a large bush and a small tree, and it is well distributed throughout the rain forests of Africa. Although toxic, small amounts of candle bush possess powerful medicinal properties. Historically, the plant was used to treat fungal infections, intestinal parasites, diarrhea, constipation, malaria, liver disease, abscesses, sexually transmitted diseases, bacterial infections, high blood pressure, anemia, hemorrhoids and disorders of the female reproductive tract. The Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PROTA) database acknowledges the candle bush's cultural and medicinal importance, but warns of serious side effects from even small doses of the plant.
