Gambeya spp. (Longhi)
Nomenclature etc. SAPOTACEAE. Gambeya albida (G. Don) Aubrev. & Pellegr. - Syn.: Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don, C. millenianum Engl., C. kayi S. Moore, C. obovatum A. Chev., Sapota mammosa Gaertn., Gambeya mammosa (Gaertn.) Pierre, Achras sericea Schumach.; Gambeya delevoyi (de Wild.) Aubrev. & Pellegr. - Syn.: Gambeya africana Pierre, Chrysophyllum africanum A. DC., C. delevoyi de Wild.; Gambeyobotrys gigantea (A. Chev.) Aubrev. - Syn.: Chrysophyllum giganteum A. Chev., Gambeya gigantea (A. Chev.) Aubrev. & Pellegr. Trade and local names: aningré, a. blanc, longhi, l. blanc (D, F); aninguéri, anigré, agnégré (F); aningeria (GB); kali (D); grogoli, koandio, osam (CI); mukali (ANG); mukalla (RPC); inon, agwa (WAN); mukangu (EAK); osan (Ug).
Tree. Geographic distribution: tropical Africa (West and East Africa).
General. Growth ring boundaries distinct. Heartwood basically brown to yellow to white or grey red to white or grey. Sapwood colour distinct from heartwood colour. Basic specific gravity 0.55–0.65 g/cm³.
Vessels. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels arranged in no specific pattern, in multiples, commonly short (2–3 vessels) radial rows and radial rows of 4 or more. Average tangential vessel diameter 60–105–160 µm. Average number of vessels/mm² 9–14. Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate, average diameter (vertical) 4–8 µm. Vessel-ray pits with distinct borders and with reduced borders or apparently simple, similar to intervessel pits, horizontal to vertical, of two distinct sizes or types in the same ray cell, of the same type in adjacent elements and unilaterally compound and coarse. Tyloses in vessels present, thinwalled and sclerotic.
Tracheids and fibres. Fibres of medium wall thickness. Fibre pits common in both radial and tangential walls, simple to minutely bordered.
Axial parenchyma. Axial parenchyma present, banded. Axial parenchyma bands marginal (or seemingly marginal), reticulate, fine, up to three cells wide. Axial parenchyma apotracheal (rarely). Apotracheal axial parenchyma diffuse-in-aggregates. Axial parenchyma as strands. Average number of cells per axial parenchyma strand 7–8.
Rays. Rays 8–14 per tangential mm, multiseriate, also if only few, (1–)2–4 cells wide. Rays with multiseriate portions as wide as uniseriate portions present. Rays composed of two or more cell types. Heterocellular rays square and upright cells restricted to marginal rows. Number of marginal rows of upright or square cells 2–4 to more than 4. Disjunctive ray parenchyma end walls distinct (only in Gambeya delevoyi and Gambeyobotrys gigantea).
Mineral inclusions. Crystals present and not observed, prismatic and in form of crystal sand, located in axial parenchyma cells and tyloses. Crystal-containing axial parenchyma cells chambered. Number of crystals per cell or chamber one. Crystal sand only in axial parenchyma of Gambeya albida and Gambeyobotrys gigantea. Silica not observed.
Physical and chemical tests. Froth test positive.
Cite this publication as: H. G. Richter and M. J. Dallwitz (2000 onwards). 'Commercial timbers: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval.' In English, French, German, and Spanish. Version: 4th May 2000. http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/.
Dallwitz (1980) and Dallwitz, Paine and Zurcher (1993 onwards, 1995 onwards, 1998) should also be cited (see General references).