Dalbergia purpurascens

Botanical Description

Dalbergia purpurascens is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 25 metres tall, but is usually smaller[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. ]. The wood is utilized locally for fuel, and is also exported with other rosewoods[ 349 Title Global Tree Campaign - 40 Species in Trade Publication Author Website http://www.unep-wcmc.org/trees/trade/40_species_in_trade.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on the habitats, uses and some cultivation notes for 40 species of timber trees. ]. It has been described as one of the most heavily traded species of precious timber of Madagascar[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Dalbergia purpurascens produces a notably attractive high-quality rosewood. It is threatened by illegal selective felling for this timber for the international markey, as well as local utilization of its wood for construction, charcoal and fuel. It is also threatened by habitat loss and bush fires. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].