Bridelia Micrantha (Assas)

Scientific Name
Bridelia micrantha

Trade Name
Assas

Family Name
Euphorbiaceae

Common Names
Adhumo, Aga-ofia, Aga-oji, Akati, An-ta, Aparyisie, Arasha, Asas, Asha, Asha gidi, Assas, Ata, Ataba, Awodze, Badi, Bempe pembe, Chemaguldet, Chikue, Chiukue, Dafin sagba, Ekuane, Epakotrubo, Essat, Essenge, Funiyomba, Ida-odan, Ira, K-ata, Kataza, Katazamiti, Katazarniti, Kensange, Kuwi, M’zerie, Mible, Mitserie, Mitzeerie, Mojenge, Msopa, Mukanganya, Mukoigo, Mukuegwe, Mureru, Ndegbeme-welui, Ndewei-guli, Ngorouet, Obadi, Obari, Ogangan, Ogangan neran, Ogangan nugu, Ogaofia, Ola ozalu, Omutarakaranga, Opam, Ota, Sabua, Sagba, Shikanganya, Tchikue, Tulinyi, Umhlambamakwaba, Wallinjang, Warrinjung, Yeki-le

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, South Africa

Common Uses
Balusters, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Charcoal, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mine timbers, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Parquet flooring, Piling, Plain veneer, Plywood, Posts, Radio – stereo – TV cabinets, Toys, Turnery, Veneer: decorative

Environmental Profile

Distribution Overview
Found in forests by rivers, forest edges or open woodlands, savannahs and secondary forests, riverine woodlands, and gallery forests. It is adaptable to a variety of climates. The tree prefers sites along rivers and at forest edges at altitudes under 2500 m (FAO 1986). B. micrantha is found in Tanzania in Mbeya, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, and Iringa.

Heartwood Color

Seldom clearly demarcated from the gray or yellowish-white sapwood

Sapwood Color

Grain

Texture

Luster

Natural Durability

Drying Defects

Ease of Drying

Tree Identification

Tree Size

Product Sources
The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced occasionally. The material is being promoted on the export market.

Cutting Resistance

Gluing

Nailing

Planing

Response to Hand Tools

Screwing

Veneering Qualities

Polishing

Strength Properties

Numerical Data

References
Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48

Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal]

Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers – the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research

Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London

Dalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the Colonies

Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda

France – C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France

Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford.

Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan

Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159

Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa

Pardy, A.A.,1955,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S.Rhodesia – Bridelia micrantha,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S.Rhodesia Bulletin No.1840

Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l’Union Francaise,C.T.F.T

Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1

Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3

Tack, C.H.,1958,The Strength Properties of some Uganda Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Bulletin No. 5

Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7

Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1