Kiaat, Muninga and Mukwa are the three different names given to Pterocarpus Angolensis, the tree found in southern parts of Africa. It is popularly known as the Bloodwood tree because of the kind of dark red colored liquid it produces from its wood. When you chop its trunk or damage its branch, a red colored fluid drips down on the ground and reminds you of an animal’s wounded limb. This liquid, which looks like blood, is sticky and reddish-brown in color. It seals the wound and promotes healing.
In some areas, this liquid is used as a dye and in the others, it is mixed with animal fat to create cosmetic for bodies and faces. There are a lot of people, who believe that this liquid has some sort of magical properties and can surely cure problems related to blood; this is because it appears like blood.
A lot of different medical conditions like stabbing pains, malaria, ringworm, stomach issues, backwater fever and lack of milk in the breasts are treated by this tree. One look at its reddish brown color and you feel the healing properties oozing out from its magically smooth wood.
Talking of its wood, it is used to make furniture, which is sold at a higher rate due to its excellent quality. Due to its texture and smoothness, the wood can be carved and glued very easily. It is because of its quality that the screws fit well and the polish is beautifully done on the wood.
Even after the process of drying, it shrinks minutely and the quality is sustained all throughout the process of making the furniture. Its durable nature allows it to become the most perfect wood for building boats, floors of the bathroom and canoes as well.
This tree can be distinguished easily, since it grows 12 to 18 meters tall, has rough barks that are dark brown in color and an amazing umbrella shape crown with beautiful yellow flowers.
Source : wikipedia, plantzafrica, ecocrop.fao,
