Building materials
Plants provide all manner of materials used in construction. These range from timbers and rattans to resins and waxes used in paints and other products. Without plants we would not be able to build ourselves shelter and homes.
Timber resources are under threat in many countries and some species such as mahogany (Swietenia species) are threatened with extinction due to over-exploitation. Seeds of Penta parvifolia were collected by Millennium Seed Bank partners in Kenya in 2005. It is recognised by the Vidunda people in Tanzania as a timber useful for roof construction and other building work involving poles.
Rattans (climbing palms) are used in all kinds of products from building shelters to cane furniture, mats, fish traps, baskets and medicines.
Explore our building materials species profiles
Acacia anegadensis
poke-me-boy
Acacia nilotica
acacia
Acacia senegal
gum arabic
Betula pendula
silver birch
Castanea sativa
sweet chestnut
Guibourtia ehie
black hyedua
Hevea brasiliensis
rubber tree
Isoberlinia doka
doka
Kigelia africana
sausage tree
Pterocarpus lucens
small-leaved bloodwood
Tectona grandis
teak
- Print friendly
- Send to a friend
-
Send to a friend Close
- Spread the word
-
Spread the word Close
- Blog this
- Donate
