The five workhorses
Iroko (Milicia excelsa): golden brown, 640 kg/m³, the West African substitute for teak in marine and exterior joinery. Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum): reddish brown with ribbon-stripe figure, 640 kg/m³, the premium mahogany alternative for furniture and panelling. Dabema (Piptadeniastrum africanum): yellow-brown, 640 kg/m³, the heavy-construction workhorse. Khaya (Khaya ivorensis): pink-to-red African mahogany, 560 kg/m³, easy to machine, the joinery default. Wawa / Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon): pale yellow, 380 kg/m³, the light pattern-making and core species.
The premium and structural species
Padouk (Pterocarpus soyauxii): vivid orange-red on freshly cut faces, 720 kg/m³, used for feature furniture, inlays and dramatic interiors. Okan (Cylicodiscus gabunensis): dense yellow-brown, 950 kg/m³, used for heavy decking, sleepers and bridge timbers. Azobe / Ekki (Lophira alata): dark red-brown, 1,050 kg/m³, the marine pile and hydraulic structures species. Bubinga (Guibourtia tessmannii): purple-red, CITES II permit required, used for luxury furniture and instruments. Afrormosia (Pericopsis elata, CITES II): golden brown, sometimes called African teak, used for premium marine-grade interiors.
The character and accent species
Kossipo (Entandrophragma candollei): dark reddish brown, similar to sapele but cleaner grain. Dibetou / African Walnut (Lovoa trichilioides): light brown with darker stripes, used for upmarket joinery. Movingui (Distemonanthus benthamianus): bright yellow tones, used for accent veneers and contrast panels. Bilinga (Nauclea diderrichii): yellow-orange, durable, used for marine and exterior joinery. Ayous: see Wawa, the trade name varies by region.
Choosing by application
Doors and frames: iroko, sapele, khaya. Furniture and panelling: sapele, khaya, padouk, dibetou, kossipo. Heavy decking and sleepers: dabema, okan, azobe. Marine and exterior: iroko, azobe, bilinga, afrormosia. Pattern making and cores: wawa. Accent and feature: padouk, bubinga, movingui.