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 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Laurales |
| Family: | Lauraceae |
| Genus: | Kuloa |
| Species: | K. usambarensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Kuloa usambarensis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Ocotea usambarensis Engl. | |
Description
editIt 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
editIt is an important timber tree, valued for the resistance of its wood to fungal decay.
References
edit- ^ a b c Kuloa usambarensis (Engl.) Trofimov & Rohwer. Plants of the World Online. Accessed 10 April 2023.