Kuloa usambarensis

Kuloa usambarensis (synonym Ocotea usambarensis) is a species of tree in the laurel family (Lauraceae).[1] It is native to eastern Africa in Kenya, Tanga Region of Tanzania, and locally in Uganda, where it occurs at 1600–2600 m elevation in high rainfall Afromontane cloud forest. Common names include East African camphorwood, mkulo (Tanzania), mwiha (Uganda), muwong, muzaiti, and maasi.

Kuloa usambarensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Laurales
Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Kuloa
Species:
K. usambarensis
Binomial name
Kuloa usambarensis
(Engl.) Trofimov & Rohwer[1]
Synonyms[1]

Ocotea usambarensis Engl.

Description

It is a large evergreen tree growing to 35 m (exceptionally 45 m) tall, with fast growth (up to 2 m per year) when young. The leaves are opposite (sometimes alternate on fast-growing stems), elliptic to oval, 4–16 cm long and 2.5–9 cm wide, dark green above, pale below, with an entire margin and an acuminate apex. The foliage has a distinct scent of camphor. The flowers are inconspicuous, greenish-yellow; the fruit is a small drupe 1 cm long.

Uses

It is an important timber tree, valued for the resistance of its wood to fungal decay.

References
  1. Kuloa usambarensis (Engl.) Trofimov & Rohwer. Plants of the World Online. Accessed 10 April 2023.
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