OUR JUNGLE
height: Approximately 30–40 m
Uses: Heavy timber for exotic construction and structural applications (sustainability monitored)
height: Can reach up to around 45 m
Uses: Dense, durable wood for heavy construction and high-strength export timber
height: Around 30–40 m
Uses: Timber for construction, carving, and artisanal products
height: 45m
Uses: The seeds contain certain toxic substances which can be removed by treatment. They are used for human consumption but mostly when other foods are scarce, boiled, roasted, ground into flour for making porridge or fermented and wrapped in Megaphrynium macrostachyum leaves, and subsequently roasted.
Local Name (Fang): Doum
English Name: Kapok Tree
Description: An immense, buttressed tree with thick conical spines; considered sacred and used as a meeting tree.
Medicinal & Practical Uses: Its bark and fibers are used in traditional remedies and for filling mattresses and pillows.
Ecological Notes: Kapok flowers attract bats and its fibers have been used in life jackets.
height: Around 40 m
Uses: Durable wood used in construction, fine carpentry, and veneer production
height: Around 40 m
Uses: Reddish-brown timber for high-quality furniture, cabinetry, veneers, and musical instruments
height: Approximately 40 m
Uses: Fine, durable timber for decorative veneers, upscale furniture, and precision joinery
Local Name (Fang): Essang afane
English Name: Essang afane
Description: A tall, canopy tree endemic to Gabon, known for its potent medicinal bark.
Medicinal Uses: Its bark is used to treat serious infections and fevers, with reputed antibiotic properties.
height: Typically around 30–40 m
Uses: Fine ornamental rosewood for high-end furniture, veneers, and decorative carvings
height: Approximately 40 m
Uses: High-end joinery, furniture, veneers, and structural applications
height: Around 30–40 m
Uses: Reddish timber for fine furniture, cabinetry, and decorative veneers
height: Typically 30–40 m
Uses: Extremely hard, durable wood for heavy construction (e.g., bridge beams, railway sleepers, marine pilings)
Local Name: Moabi or Adzap (also known as djave nut)
English Name: Moabi
Description: A giant, slow-growing rainforest tree highly valued by local communities for its diverse uses.
Medicinal Uses: Its bark is used to treat various ailments including fevers and rheumatism.
Local Name (Fang): Eteng
English Name: African Nutmeg (Ilomba)
Adult height: 45m
Description: A tall forest tree with buttresses, whose seeds emit a nutmeg-like aroma.
Medicinal Uses: Its bark is used as an antibiotic wash, and its seeds season stews and are carved into ritual objects.
height: Estimated up to about 40 m
Uses: Timber used locally in construction and furniture-making
Local Name (Fang): Akeng
English Name: Brimstone Tree (Morinda lucida)
Description: A small to medium tree with glossy leaves, widely used in traditional medicine.
Medicinal Uses: Used as a natural antimalarial and to treat various infections and fever.
Local Name (Fang): Okoumé
English Name: Okoume
Description: A towering hardwood emblematic of Gabon, appearing on the national coat of arms.
Medicinal & Traditional Uses: Its resinous bark is used to treat wounds and diarrhea, and the resin is burned as incense.
Other Uses: The lightweight timber is used for plywood, boats, and furniture.
Local Name (Fang): Mebeigne-megôné
English Name: Navel Fruit Tree
Description: Bears large, round fruits directly on its trunk (cauliflory), serving as a seasonal calendar.
Traditional Uses: Its charred fruit powder is used for fungal skin infections and as a dye.
Local Name (Fang): Ozouga
English Name: Bitter Bark Tree
Description: A large evergreen found along rivers and swamps with a bitter extract from its bark.
Medicinal Uses: Used to treat fever, body pains, wounds, and diarrhea.
height: Typically about 40 m
Uses: Light, workable wood for furniture, cabinetry, and veneer production
height: Up to about 45 m
Uses: Fine furniture, cabinetry, premium construction timber
height: Typically 40–45 m
Uses: Light, workable timber for plywood, veneers, furniture, and general construction
height: Around 40 m
Uses: Durable wood used in construction and joinery. This tree only grows in Gabon, no other country.
Local Name (Fang): Oveng
English Name: Kevazingo (Bubinga)
Description: A majestic and relatively rare rosewood tree revered for its cultural significance.
Medicinal Uses: Its powdered bark is occasionally used for skin ailments and stomach aches.
Local Name (Fang): Alan
English Name: Niando
Description: A shrubby forest tree with a significant role in traditional spirituality despite its modest stature.
Spiritual & Medicinal Uses: Its roots and bark have mild psychoactive properties and are used as a stimulant, aphrodisiac, and forest tonic.
Interesting Note: The fresh root has a spicy scent, and historical records mention “magic potions” made from alan.
Local Name (Fang): Evuta
English Name: Gabon Ebony
Description: Renowned for its jet‐black, dense heartwood, this smaller tree has significant cultural and ecological importance.
Uses: Wood is carved into fine objects and ritual items; its fruits support wildlife.
Local Name (Fang): Elone
English Name: Ordeal Tree (Sasswood)
Description: A medium-sized tree with extremely toxic bark, historically used in ordeal trials.
Medicinal Uses: In minute doses, its bark is used as a potent pain reliever and antiseptic.
height: Approximately 30–40 m
Uses: Beautiful flowering vine up to 6 meters for the Hammock area. The fruit is gathered from the wild for local use as a dye.
