Panga Panga (Millettia stuhlmannii)

 

Family - Leguminosae

 

Distribution - East Africa

 

Other Names: Avong, Jambire, Mongoy, Mpande, Mpanga-mpanga, Partridge wood, Partridgewood, Umkuye, Wenge

 

Characteristics: Sapwood whitish in colour, the heartwood is dark brown with fine, close blackish veining, giving the wood a handsome appearance. Avery hard and heavy wood, it weighs about 800 Kg / m3 when dried. Straight grained, it has a rather coarse texture. The wood is stated to have good resistance to bending and to shock. Panga Panga is very durable.

 

Working Qualities: Difficult to work because of its hardness, when sawing it may bind to blades and burn. It tends to split so pre-drilling is very important. It is difficult to polish.

 

Uses: Very suitable for flooring, also used for decoration and for furniture manufacturing.