Red Ivory (Berchemia zeyheri)

 

Family - Rhamnaceae

 

Distribution - South and East Africa

 

Other Names: Rhamnus zeyheri, Red Ivorywood, Pink Ivory, Purple Ivory, Rooi-ivoor, Monee, umNeyi, Xiniyani, Moye, Munia-niane, Muniane, umNini, umNcaka, Sineyi, Tineyi, 

 

Characteristics: The wood is close - grained, hard and heavy. The sapwood is a creamy white and the heartwood is an unusual bright pink-red shade when freshly cut, becoming deep red on exposure. Red Ivory weighs about 1000 Kg / m3 when dried.

 

Working Qualities: It is difficult to work with hand tools, but is an excellent wood for turnery and carving. It takes a high polish.

 

Uses: Prized for making walking sticks / knobkerries, also used for ornamental boxes and furniture. In Natal, only the chief was allowed to carry a knobkerrie made from this wood.