Iroko, Kambala (Milicia excelsa) is a type of wood that is imported to Europe from tropical West and Central Africa, for example from Guinea-Bissau, Angola and Mozambique. The trees of this genus grow very large, 30 - 40 metres in length with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 metres are not uncommon. The wood is very durable and hard, but at the same time very light at only approx. 650 kg/m3. The heartwood is usually pale yellow to golden or medium brown in colour, darkening considerably over time. It has a medium to coarse grain with open pores, rarely interlocked grain. Because of its good durability, it is sometimes used as a substitute for real teak, it can be used for a wide range of interior and exterior applications. It is used in interior fittings, for veneers, as interior and exterior construction timber, for flooring, stairs, furniture, windows, doors and, because of its durability, in boat and car body construction; acid vats made of iroko are particularly durable due to their resistance to acids and bases.
