Scientific Name
Phyllanthus discoideus
Trade Name
Adjansi
Family Name
Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms
Phyllanthus amapondensis, Phyllanthus flacoutioides, Cicca discoidea, Margaritaria discoidea
Common Names
Adjansi, Adzadze, An-saka, Apapaya, Ashasha, Asivin, Benchi, Benkyi, Brakassa, Common pheasant berry, Dantivi, Diom’bi, Dion konkon, Egossa red pear, Gewone fisantebessie, Isinkpi, Kamfua, Keri, Kongolo-tijoi, Konkona, Konkonga, Mukarara, Mussan-hue, Opepea, Otegu, Pepesea, Pepezia, Saga, Surunku gniegnie, Tijoi, Tusuandet, Umpunzito, Wa yiddi, Wovengaenga
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Zaire
Common Uses
Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Mine timbers, Piling, Plywood, Shingles, Toys, Turnery, Veneer
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Pale red to pink | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Reddish brown | ||||||||||||
| White to cream | ||||||||||||
| Red |
Sapwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Well defined | ||||||||||||
| Same as heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Different than heartwood |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Closed | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Growth rings (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Rippled (figure) |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Medium |
Luster
| Medium |
Natural Growth Defects
| Gum and mineral deposits |
Natural Durability
| Non durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable |
Drying Defects
| Moderate end spitting |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is straight | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is cylindrical |
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory
Cutting Resistance
| Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy |
Nailing
| Holds nails well |
Planing
| Planes well, to a good finish |
Resistance to Splitting
| Good |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work |
Veneering Qualities
| Good gluing qualities | ||||||||||||
| Bolt preparation requires steaming | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
| Moderately easy to veneer | ||||||||||||
| Drying degrade is moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splits |
Polishing
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Good results |
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu.ft | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = high |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 8884 | 13853 | psi |
| Density | 48 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 1658 | lbs | |
| Stiffness | 1665 | 1923 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 47 | 40 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 5 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 9 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 624 | 973 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 769 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 752 | kg | |
| Stiffness | 117 | 135 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 753 | 641 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 5 | % |
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
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
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
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
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 Forestry Department,1954,Pilot tests of strength properties of some Ugandan grown timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber leaflet No. 46
Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya