Bloodwood
tree is also called Pterocarpus angolensis is a kind of teak native to southern
Africa, known by others names such as “Kiaat”, “Bloedhout” “greinhout”,
“Mukwa”, and “Muninga”. The Bloodwood tree normally grows 12 to 18 meters tall,
has dark-brown rough bark, a stunning umbrella-shaped spreading crown and bears
beautiful yellow flowers. The Bloodwood tree is remarkable dark red colored sap
with a chopped trunk or damaged branch of the tree begins dripping deep red
fluid, nearly like a severed limb of an animal. The bloodwood tree is a true
example of majestic nature of planet earth. The Bloodwood tree is regarded as
an indicator of well-drained soils, as it is sensitive to frost and having
reputed to be fire tolerant, making it an essential species for enrichment
planting in areas where fire cannot be excluded entirely. The Bloodwood tree
grows in the warm, frost free areas in the northeast of the country, northern
Botswana, Mozambique, extending into Zimbabwe, and Namibia and northwards into
other parts of Africa.
The
striking sticky, reddish-brown sap seals the wound to help healing. The red sap
is used conventionally as a dye and in few areas mixed with animal fat to make
a cosmetic for faces and bodies. It is also thought to have magical properties
for the curing of teething troubles concerning blood, seemingly because of its
close similarity to blood. The Bloodwood tree is also used for treating various
medical conditions such as eye problems, ringworm, stabbing pains, malaria,
Blackwater fever, stomach problems, headaches, blood in the urine, earache,
mouth ulcers and to increase the supply of breast milk. The Bloodwood also
consider in making precious quality furniture, as it can be effortlessly
carved, glues and screws well and takes a fine polish. Moreover, it also
shrinks very little when drying from the green condition, and this superiority,
together with its high sturdiness, makes it for the most part suitable for boat
building, canoes and bathroom floors. Therefore, due to its great value to the
native peoples of the central and southern Africa, these trees are being
harvested at an unsustainable rate leading to its decline in recent times.