Details Top

Internal ID UUID643fdc34cb6e5421121638
Scientific name Millettia dura
Authority Dunn
First published in J. Bot.49: 221 (1911)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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General Uses Top

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Wood and fiber:
The species provides dense, dark hardwood (commercially “wenge”) used in sawn lumber, veneer, and planing-mill products. Primary applications include flooring, stair treads, furniture and cabinetry, millwork and joinery, paneling, and specialty items such as knife handles and decorative turned pieces. The wood is valued for its straight to interlocked grain, dark chocolate-brown color, and very high hardness; in flooring it is selected for durability and a distinctive appearance. Veneer and slicing of figured logs are standard for high-end cabinet and wall paneling.

Industrial and craft applications:
Beyond general timber, the species is used in doors, window frames, millwork, and moldings, and in instrument making for bodies and accent parts. Craft uses include turned bowls and pens where hardness and fine surface quality are desired.

Colorants and tanning:
No documented use as a dye or tannin source is reported in reliable references for the taxon.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
No reported uses.

Food and beverages:
No recorded uses.

Properties relevant to use:
Very high density (typically about 0.85 g/cm³ at 12% moisture content) and hardness (Janka ≈ 5.8 kN) underpin flooring, stair, and heavy-duty joinery uses. The wood is rated very durable to decay fungi, and low shrinkage with interlocked grain contributes to dimensional stability in panels and millwork. Straight surfaces and fine radial pores are suitable for clear finishing; adhesive bonding is effective with standard woodworking systems.

Standards and regulation:
Trade in this species is regulated under CITES Appendix II, requiring export permits and CITES documentation. The IUCN Red List assessment lists it as Endangered. In the EU and UK, timber import and placing on the market are controlled by Regulation (EU) No 338/97 and related UK regulations; importers are responsible for ensuring legal and sustainable sourcing.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Its limited distribution, slow regeneration, and habitat pressures have led to over-exploitation. Current guidance from trade and conservation bodies emphasizes avoidance of unsustainable sources, preference for FSC/PEFC-certified material, and the use of verified CITES documents. Alternatives or reclaimed material are recommended where possible.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Millettia cyanantha Dunn J. Linn. Soc., Bot.41: 221 (1912)
Millettia pseudoracemosa Thoth. & S.Ravik. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 21: 239 (1997)
Millettia pulchra var. munnarensis Balan & Predeep Biodivers. Int. J. 1(3): 97 (2017)

Common names Top

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Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Africa
    • East Tropical Africa
      • Kenya
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
    • South Tropical Africa
      • Angola
    • West-central Tropical Africa
      • Burundi
      • Rwanda
      • Zaïre

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000199876
Tropicos 100425292
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1009157-1
The Plant List ild-51641
Open Tree Of Life 3920617
IPNI 1009157-1
GBIF 5355790
EOL 663205
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:507352-1
The Plant List ild-4635
Open Tree Of Life 817336
NCBI Taxonomy 62119
IPNI 507352-1
iNaturalist 152140
GBIF 5355670
EPPO MIJDU
EOL 686569
USDA GRIN 24302
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77212137-1
IPNI 77212137-1
GBIF 11378880

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Important Medicinal and Food Taxa (Orders and Families) in Kenya, Based on Three Quantitative Approaches Mutie FM, Mbuni YM, Rono PC, Mkala EM, Nzei JM, Phumthum M, Hu GW, Wang QF Plants (Basel) 02-Mar-2023
PMCID:PMC10005506
doi:10.3390/plants12051145
PMID:36904005
Millettia isoflavonoids: a comprehensive review of structural diversity, extraction, isolation, and pharmacological properties Desta KT, Abd El-Aty AM Phytochem Rev 03-Nov-2022
PMCID:PMC9630821
doi:10.1007/s11101-022-09845-w
PMID:36345415
The potential of anti-malarial compounds derived from African medicinal plants: a review of pharmacological evaluations from 2013 to 2019 Bekono BD, Ntie-Kang F, Onguéné PA, Lifongo LL, Sippl W, Fester K, Owono LC Malar J 18-May-2020
PMCID:PMC7236213
doi:10.1186/s12936-020-03231-7
PMID:32423415
New Insights Into the Plastome Evolution of the Millettioid/Phaseoloid Clade (Papilionoideae, Leguminosae) Oyebanji O, Zhang R, Chen SY, Yi TS Front Plant Sci 10-Mar-2020
PMCID:PMC7076112
doi:10.3389/fpls.2020.00151
PMID:32210983
A Review of Resistance Mechanisms of Synthetic Insecticides and Botanicals, Phytochemicals, and Essential Oils as Alternative Larvicidal Agents Against Mosquitoes Senthil-Nathan S Front Physiol 25-Feb-2020
PMCID:PMC7052130
doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.01591
PMID:32158396
Hormonally active phytochemicals and vertebrate evolution Lambert MR, Edwards TM Evol Appl 23-Mar-2017
PMCID:PMC5427676
doi:10.1111/eva.12469
PMID:28515776
Selective logging: does the imprint remain on tree structure and composition after 45 years? Osazuwa-Peters OL, Chapman CA, Zanne AE Conserv Physiol 24-Mar-2015
PMCID:PMC4778436
doi:10.1093/conphys/cov012
PMID:27293697
Larvicidal & ovicidal efficacy of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. (Fabaceae) against Anopheles stephensi Liston & Aedes aegypti Linn. (Diptera: Culicidae) Govindarajan M, Rajeswary M, Sivakumar R Indian J Med Res 01-Jul-2013
PMCID:PMC3767259
PMID:24056567
Estrogenic plant consumption predicts red colobus monkey (Procolobus rufomitratus) hormonal state and behavior Wasserman MD, Chapman CA, Milton K, Gogarten JF, Wittwer DJ, Ziegler TE Horm Behav 23-Sep-2012
PMCID:PMC3513326
doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.09.005
PMID:23010620
<b>A new isoflavone from stem bark of <i>Millettia dura</i></b> Abiy Yenesew, Solomon Derese, Jacob O. Midiwo, Matthias Heydenreich, Martin G. Peter African Journals Online (AJOL) 25-Nov-2011
doi:10.4314/BCSE.V17I1.20933
Food site residence time and female competitive relationships in wild gray-cheeked mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena) Chancellor RL, Isbell LA Behav Ecol Sociobiol 26-Jun-2009
PMCID:PMC2714887
doi:10.1007/s00265-009-0805-7
PMID:19633733
Flavones and isoflavones from Millettia ichthyochtona Christine Kamperdick, Nguyen Minh Phuong, Tran Van Sung, Günter Adam Elsevier BV 01-May-2003
doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00023-5
Rotenoids, isoflavones and chalcones from the stem bark of Millettia usaramensis subspecies usaramensis Abiy Yenesew, Jacob O. Midiwo, Peter G. Waterman Elsevier BV 23-Apr-2003
doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00424-X
Four isoflavones from seed pods of Millettia dura Abiy Yenesew, J.O. Midiwo, Peter G. Waterman Elsevier BV 05-Apr-2003
doi:10.1016/0031-9422(95)00662-1
6-Methoxycalpogonium Isoflavone A:  A New Isoflavone from the Seed Pods of <i>Millettia dura</i> Abiy Yenesew, Jacob O. Midiwo, Peter G. Waterman American Chemical Society (ACS) 26-Jul-2002
doi:10.1021/NP9605955

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
Lupeol 259846 Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C 426.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80349-0
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamyl alcohols
3-[4-(3,6,7-Trimethyloct-2-enoxy)phenyl]prop-2-en-1-ol 163061004 Click to see 302.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00424-X
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones
2-[4-(3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dienoxy)phenyl]-7-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one 163024951 Click to see 392.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00424-X
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids
5-Hydroxy-2-(7-methoxy-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)chromen-4-one 163007636 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC2=C1OCO2)C3=CC(=O)C4=C(C=CC=C4O3)O 312.27 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00424-X
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Isoflav-2-enes / Isoflavones
Nordurlettone 44257226 Click to see CC(=CCOC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=COC3=C(C2=O)C=CC(=C3)O)C 322.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.4314/BCSE.V17I1.20933
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Isoflavans / Isoflavanones / 6-prenylated isoflavanones
Erythrinin A 10381321 Click to see 320.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00662-1
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / O-methylated isoflavonoids / 4-O-methylated isoflavonoids / 4-O-methylisoflavones
3-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-8-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)chromen-4-one 15292822 Click to see 396.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00662-1
Formononetin 5280378 Click to see 268.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9605955
Maxima isoflavone D 343081 Click to see 326.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00662-1
Maximaisoflavone H 13873188 Click to see 296.27 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00662-1
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / O-methylated isoflavonoids / 7-O-methylated isoflavonoids / 7-O-methylisoflavones
3-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-8-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)chromen-4-one 163060835 Click to see 396.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00662-1
Durlettone 3693845 Click to see 336.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80349-0
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4020(01)92572-4
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Pyranoisoflavonoids
3-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-6-hydroxy-8,8-dimethylpyrano[2,3-h]chromen-4-one 15292821 Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C3C(=CC(=C2O1)O)C(=O)C(=CO3)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)OC)OC)C 380.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00662-1
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00023-5
6-Methoxycalopogonium isflavone A 1023769 Click to see 364.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9605955
8,8-Dimethyl-3-[4-(3-methylbut-2-enyloxy)phenyl]-8H-pyrano[2,3-f]chromen-4-one 7330539 Click to see CC(=CCOC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=COC3=C(C2=O)C=CC4=C3C=CC(O4)(C)C)C 388.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00662-1
Calopogoniumisoflavone A 354119 Click to see 334.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00662-1
Durallone 1023565 Click to see 394.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00662-1
Durmillone 12309400 Click to see 378.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80349-0
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00662-1
Ferrugone 324529 Click to see 408.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9605955
Isojamaicin 7330537 Click to see 378.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.4314/BCSE.V17I1.20933
Jamaicin 12304682 Click to see 378.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9605955
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Rotenoids / Rotenones
(1R,14R)-14-hydroxy-7,7-dimethyl-2,8,18,20,24-pentaoxahexacyclo[12.11.0.03,12.04,9.015,23.017,21]pentacosa-3(12),4(9),5,10,15,17(21),22-heptaen-13-one 15560543 Click to see 394.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4020(01)92572-4
(5aS,12bS)-5a,12b-Dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-(1,3)dioxolo(4,5-g)pyrano(2,3-c:6,5-f')bis(1)benzopyran-13(6H)-one 442810 Click to see 378.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9605955
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80349-0
16,17-Dimethoxy-5,7,11,14-tetraoxapentacyclo[11.8.0.02,10.04,8.015,20]henicosa-2,4(8),9,15(20),16,18-hexaen-21-ol 163060950 Click to see 358.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00424-X
17-Methoxy-16-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-5,7,11,14-tetraoxapentacyclo[11.8.0.02,10.04,8.015,20]henicosa-2,4(8),9,15(20),16,18-hexaene-1,21-diol 163078988 Click to see 412.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00424-X
Deguelin 107935 Click to see 394.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80349-0
Tephrosin 114909 Click to see 410.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP9605955
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80349-0
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Chalcones and dihydrochalcones / 2-Hydroxychalcones
1-[4-(3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dienoxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one 163043230 Click to see 392.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00424-X
4-Hydroxylonchocarpin 5889042 Click to see 322.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80349-0
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Chalcones and dihydrochalcones / 3-prenylated chalcones
4-Hydroxyderricin 6438503 Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C=CC(=C1O)C(=O)C=CC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)OC)C 338.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80349-0

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