Dalbergia melanoxylon, commonly known as African Blackwood or Mpingo, is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree belonging to the legume family (Fabaceae). It typically grows 4–15 meters tall with a crooked trunk and grey to dark brown bark, and carries a rounded, irregular crown. The leaves are pinnate with small oval leaflets, glossy green on top and paler beneath. In the dry season, the tree produces clusters of small, fragrant white to pale yellow flowers, followed by flat brown pods containing one to three hard seeds. The heartwood of African Blackwood is highly valued worldwide—it is extremely dense, dark brown to almost black, durable, and resistant to decay, making it one of the finest woods for crafting musical instruments such as clarinets, oboes, and flutes, as well as luxury furniture, carvings, and turnery