Weihea ilicifolia v. Brehm.

Cassipourea malosana is an evergreen tree approximately 6-45 m in height. It bears a conspicuously straight, pale, cylindrical trunk and a small rounded crown. The branches radiate out at right angles to the trunk. Bark smooth, pale grey with well defined ring marks. Slash soft, pale orange with a darker outer edge. Leaves opposite, dark green, 5 x 3 cm, but variable in size; glossy, tough and borne on woody twigs, margins toothed or entire. Flowers 1-5(-8) per inflorescence, laterally placed under leaves; pedicels up to 4 mm, rarely 7 mm long, densely puberulous. Calyx 4-5-partite; tube 1 mm long; lobes 3.5-5 mm long, narrowly oblong-triangular, apex acute, densely appressed-pubescent externally, glabrous or very nearly so within. Petals 4-5 laciniate apically, anthers introrse. Ovary superior, 3-4 celled, glabrous or almost so with a few apical hairs. Fruit a thin fleshy dehiscent capsule, 1 cm long, becoming black when dry. The species is quite variable with regard to leaf morphology. The specific epithet malosana is after Mt. Malosa in Malawi where the type specimen was collected.

C. malosana is a tree commonly found in moist montane forest in association with Podocarpus spp. It also occurs in upland dry forest.

Propagation is by seedlings and wildings.

Erosion control: The tree is found in catchment areas (wet montane forest) and contributes in soil conservation of these areas. Shade or shelter: C. malosana provides shade. Soil improver: Experimental results indicate Potassium is more easily leached from C. malosana leaves than calcium or magnesium.

Fuel: Tree parts used as fuelwood. Timber: C. malosana is an important timber tree in East Africa with undifferentiated sapwood and heartwood, white to light brown often with purplish streaks resulting from fungal attack. Specific gravity 0.59. Texture fine and even; grain usually straight but with a slight to marked tendency to spiraling. It has very hard timber which dries slowly and is subject to distortion. Timber suited for flooring, turnery, tool handles and construction work requiring great strength and elasticity. Sawing of green timber is difficult because of its tendency to spring. Dry wood is easier to work.