Species Use Database

African Barwood, African Kino Tree, African Rosewood, African Teal, Keno, Senegal Rosewood
Pterocarpus erinaceus

Used for Medicine and hygiene in Benin

A. Species

Scientific name: Pterocarpus erinaceus

Common name(s): African Barwood, African Kino Tree, African Rosewood, African Teal, Keno, Senegal Rosewood

Global IUCN Red List Threat Status: Endangered


B. Location of use

Geographic location(s):

  • Benin

Country/Region:


C. Scale of assessment

Scale of assessment: National Level

Name/Details of location: Benin


D. Timescale of use

Start Year: 2018

End Year: 2018


E. Information about the use

How is the wild species sourced?: Wild species sourced from its natural habitat

Type of use: Extractive

Practice of use: Gathering/Cutting/Collecting terrestrial plants and fungi or their products from the wild

Lethal or non-lethal: Lethal and Non-Lethal

Does this use involve take/extraction of: The whole entire organism and Only parts or products of the organism

Purpose(s) of end use: Medicine and hygiene

Motivation of use: Basic subsistence and Income generation from trade (individual/household/community)

Is this use legal or illegal?: Legal under national law


F. Information about the Users

Which stakeholder(s) does the record primarily focus on?: Local people


G. Information about the sustainability of use

Is there evidence that the use is having an impact on the target species?: Wild species sourced from its natural habitat

Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an ecological perspective been recorded?: not recorded

Details of assessment carried out: Published paper

Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: The uncontrolled and repeated harvesting of parts of Pterocarpus erinaceus has seriously affected plant growth and regeneration. Local people reported that the species is becoming more scarce. The authors state that the prohibition of logging and timber exportation of Pterocarpus erinaceus in Benin is not sufficient for its sustainable management.

Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an economic perspective been recorded?: not recorded

Details of assessment carried out: Published paper

Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: The leaves, bark and roots are sold my women and contribute to the livelihood income for many households.

Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from a social perspective been recorded?: not recorded

Details of assessment carried out: Published paper

Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from a human health perspective been recorded?: not recorded

Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an animal health/welfare perspective been recorded?: not recorded


Recommendations provided in the record to maintain or enhance the sustainability of the use of the target species

It is important that additional conservation and restoration strategies are taken. The authors advice both in-situ and ex-situ conservation in order to keep the genetic diversity of Pterocarpus erinaceus and ensure its survival. A key strategy could be improved habitat management to enable connectivity across the landscape. The authors highlight the importance of involving local communities in conservation actions.


Record source

Information about the record source: scientific_pub

Date of publication/issue/production: 2021-01-01T00:00:00+0000

Source Reference(s):

Ouinsavi, C., Sourou, B.N.K., Wedjangnon, A.A., HouĂȘtchegnon, T., Akin, Y. and Dossou, J., 2021. Traditional uses of African rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. Fabaceae) through the sociolinguistic groups and the pathways of conservation and sustainable management in Benin. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 13(4), pp.200-213.

Date of record entry: 2025-03-24