Baphia nitida

Not to be confused with Osyris lanceolata, also known as African sandalwood.

Baphia nitida, also known as camwood, barwood, and African sandalwood (although not a true sandalwood), is a shrubby, leguminous, hard-wooded tree from central west Africa. It is a small understorey, evergreen tree, often planted in villages, and known as osun in Yoruba.

Baphia nitida
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Baphia
Species:	B. nitida
Binomial name
Baphia nitida Lodd.
The distribution of Baphia nitida.
Synonyms[1]
Baphia angolensis sensu Lester-Garland Baphia barombiensis Taub. Baphia haematoxylon (Schum. & Thonn.) Hooker f. Carpolobia versicolor G. Don Delaria pyrifolia Desv. Podalyria haematoxylon Schum. & Thonn.

The wood is of a very fine colour, and is used in woodturning for making knife handles and similar articles. The tree's bark and heartwood are commonly used to make a brilliant but non-permanent red dye, which is soluble in alkali.

Pterocarpin is a pterocarpan found in B. nitida.^[2]

Osun (camwood) extract is also used in some soaps and skin treatments, primarily among the Yoruba people of West Africa. The extract of the Camwood can be formed into a soft soap like material that is thought to promote healthy skin.