Baphia nitida
Baphia nitida, also known as African sandalwood, is a shrubby, leguminous, hard-wooded tree from central west Africa. This 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.
Camwood is known as "osun" in Yoruba.
Pterocarpin is a pterocarpan found in B. nitida.
Osun extract is also used in some soaps and skin treatments, although there aren't published studies about its efficacy or safety.
Baphia nitida is a small, understorey, evergreen tree, often planted in villages.
