pink ivory
{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Berchemia zeyheri, blare en blomknoppe, Manie van der Schijff BT.jpg
| image2 = Red Ivory (Phyllogeiton zeyheri) 5.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Phyllogeiton
| species = zeyheri
| range_map = Red Ivory (Phyllogeiton zeyheri) IUCN range 2018.svg
| synonyms = *Berchemia zeyheri {{small|(Sond.) Grubov}}
- Rhamnus zeyheri {{small|Sond.}}
}}
Pink ivory (Phyllogeiton zeyheri), also called red ivory, purple ivory, umnini or umgoloti, is an African hardwood used to make a variety of products (for example: billiard cues and knife handles).{{Cite web |title=Berchemia zeyheri {{!}} PlantZAfrica.com |url=https://pza.sanbi.org/berchemia-zeyheri |access-date=2017-08-04 |website=www.plantzafrica.com}} The pink ivory tree grows predominantly in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Northern Botswana and South Africa.{{cite POWO |id=717972-1 |title=Phyllogeiton zeyheri (Sond.) Suess. |access-date=10 September 2022 }} The tree is protected and sustainably maintained in South Africa, only felled by very limited permit.{{Cite web |url=http://www.daff.gov.za/doaDev/sideMenu/ForestryWeb/dwaf/cmsdocs/Elsa/Docs/PT/Revision%20of%20National%20Protected%20Trees%20List%202002.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-11-10 |archive-date=2014-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110221204/http://www.daff.gov.za/doaDev/sideMenu/ForestryWeb/dwaf/cmsdocs/Elsa/Docs/PT/Revision%20of%20National%20Protected%20Trees%20List%202002.pdf |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.daff.gov.za/daffweb3/Branches/Forestry-Natural-Resources-Management/Forestry-Regulation-Oversight/Sustainable-Forestry/Protected-Trees |title=Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Branches > Forestry & Natural Resources Management > Forestry Regulation & Oversight > Sustainable Forestry > Protected Trees |last=Fisheries |first=Department of Agriculture, Forestry and |website=www.daff.gov.za |language=en-US |access-date=2017-08-04}} The wood is extremely hard, with a density of 990 g/dm3.
Usage
Pink ivory was the royal tree of the Zulu people{{Cite web |url=http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/berchemzey.htm |title=Berchemia zeyheri {{!}} PlantZAfrica.com |website=www.plantzafrica.com |access-date=2017-08-04}} and only members of the royal family were allowed to possess it until the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Before the Anglo-Zulu War, the Zulu king (and prior to 1818, Zulu chiefs) would possess a pink ivory Knobkerrie (a stick with a knob at one end) and also wear jewellery made from precious pink ivory wood. According to rumour, non-royals who possessed the wood would summarily be put to death. After Zululand fell to the British and was separated into 13 separate "kinglets" in 1883, all vying to retake control of what was once theirs precedent to the onset of apartheid, the pink ivory wood became much less important a sign of control than genuine control could be.
The pink ivory tree produces a yellow, brownish, reddish, or purplish drupe fruit that is delicious to taste. Other parts of the tree have been used traditionally as remedies and medicines.
Pink ivory is often cited as one of the most expensive woods in the world, along with African blackwood, sandalwood, agarwood and ebony.{{cite web | title=Top 10 Most Expensive Woods in the World | website=Salpoente Boutique | date=18 November 2016 | url=http://renesabino.com/luxury-blog/top-10-expensive-woods-world/ | access-date=19 September 2020}}{{cite web | title=11 Most Expensive Woods in the World | website=Ventured | date=22 July 2020 | url=https://ventured.com/most-expensive-woods-in-the-world/ | access-date=19 September 2020}}
Gallery
File:Berchemia zeyheri 1.jpg|Flowers
File:BerchemiaZeyheriSeeds1.jpg|Seeds
File:Berchemia zeyheri01a.jpg|Fruit
File:Sombre Greenbul (6577862547).jpg|Sombre greenbul (Andropadus importunus) on the eastern shore of Lake Sibayi, feeding on the fruit of the red ivory.