Click here to open feedback window. Annex 2. Profiles of Tree Species: Africa 33 Brachylaena huillensis Synonym: Brachylaena hutchisonii Muhuhu Distribution This species occurs in Angola, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Transvaal and Uganda. Habitat In Kenya, B. huillensis occurs in the highlands, the coastal belt and in forest remnants (WCMC, 1991). It is found in upland semi-deciduous forest and lowland dry forest or thicket (Beentje, 1994). It is found in the Usambara steppe and coastal lowland of Tanzania and Uganda (WCMC, 1991). This species is dominant in evergreen bush, is common in dry coastal forests and can be found in lowland dry forests and semi-deciduous dry upland forests (1500m-2000m) (FAO, 1986). Population Status and Trends The distribution of this species is patchy (Marshall & Jenkins, 1994). B. huillensis is locally common in Kenya (Beentje, 1994). Role of Species in its Ecosystem Threats The species is subject to heavy exploitation in Tanzania. In Kenya, much of the habitat of this species has been lost and the remaining trees are subject to increasingly heavy felling (WCMC, 1991). It is also suffering from habitat loss due to settlement and cultivation (FAO, 1986) Utilisation This species has been used for sleepers, flooring blocks, furniture, carving and turnery. Its main use internationally is now for wood carvings. It is commonly used in Tanzania for building posts. In Kenya, this species is only used in the carving industry and not for sawn wood (Marshall & Jenkins, 1994). Perfumed oil can be distilled from the wood (FAO, 1986). Trade Conservation Status This species is considered Rare in Uganda (Katende, 1995). Conservation Measures It is considered a priority for in situ conservation by FAO, 1984. B. huillensis is found in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve and the Shimba Hills Forest Reserve of Kenya. However in both of these areas this species is being collected. In the Arabuko-Sokoko Forest Reserve licences are issued for collection of dead wood but most of the trees removed are either newly dead (possibly ring-barked trees) or illegally cut trees (Marshall & Jenkins, 1994). It is also collected in the Lamu district and transported to Mombasa for the carving industry (Marshall & Jenkins, 1994). There are 69 ha of this species in plantations in Kenya (Marshall & Jenkins, 1994). References Beentje, H.J., 1994. Kenya Trees, Shrubs and Lianas. National Museums of Kenya:Nairobi, Kenya. pp. 722. FAO, 1986. Some medicinal forest plants of Africa and Latin America. FAO Paper 67. pp. 252. Katende, A.B., 1995. Annotations to the WCMC list of Trees of Uganda. Marshall, N.T. and Jenkins, M, 1994. Hard Times for Hardwood: Indigenous Timber and the Timber Trade in Kenya. Traffic International:Cambridge, U.K. pp. 53. WCMC, 1991. Provision of Data on Rare and Threatened Tropical Timber Species. pp. 58. White F., 1983. The Vegetation of Africa. A descriptive memoir to accompany the UNESCO/AETFAT/UNSO vegetation map of Africa. Paris:UNESCO. pp.356. Vegetation type according to White (1983) 1. Somalia-Masai scrub forest Brachylaena huillensis occurs on the steep northern slopes of the Western Usambara mountains between 700 and 960 m. 2. Zanzibar-Inhambane undifferentiated forest This species is found in the drier forests of this region.