The Collaborative International Dictionary
Kino \Ki"no\, n. The dark red dried juice of certain plants, used variously in tanning, in dyeing, and as an astringent in medicine.
Note: The chief supply is from an East Indian leguminous tree, the Pterocarpus Marsupium. Other sources are the African Pterocarpus erinaceus, the tropical American sea grape ( Coccoloba uvifera), and several Australian Eucalypti. See Botany bay kino, under Botany bay, Gum butea, under Gum, and Eucalyptus.
Rosewood \Rose"wood\, n. A valuable cabinet wood of a dark red color, streaked and variegated with black, obtained from several tropical leguminous trees of the genera Dalbergia and Mach[ae]rium. The finest kind is from Brazil, and is said to be from the Dalbergia nigra.
African rosewood, the wood of the leguminous tree Pterocarpus erinaceus.
Jamaica rosewood, the wood of two West Indian trees ( Amyris balsamifera, and Linocieria ligustrina).
New South Wales rosewood, the wood of Trichilia glandulosa, a tree related to the margosa.
Wikipedia
The tree Pterocarpus erinaceus is native to Sahelian region of West Africa and is used for fuel wood, for medicinal purposes, as a woodworking material, and that is useful as a nitrogen-fixing plant that helps to improve nutrient-depleted farming land. It has several common names, including barwood, muninga, vène, and mukwa; is used for this species as well as other Pterocarpus. Groves of the tree can be found on the savannahs of West Africa, but it is becoming increasingly rare and is sometimes cultivated. The tree also grows in forests of Comoé National Park in Côte d'Ivoire, a region geographically close to the Sahel but with a higher moisture regime due to its location between two large rivers. The tree grows to about 11 meters in height on average, and bears dark, scaly bark and yellow flowers. The fruits are winged pods. P. erinaceus grows well on sunny, hot African plains with long dry seasons and frequent fires.
The wood, which varies from yellowish to rosy reds and rich browns, is valued for woodworking, and makes good charcoal and fuel wood. The tree exudes a red sap called kino, which is used as a dye in tanning and cloth-making. As a legume, the tree harbors rhizobia that return nitrogen to the soil, making it more fertile. Such plants are desirable on farmland. In addition, the foliage is a nutritious fodder for farm animals. Mali has an active market for P. erinaceus foliage, which is in high demand by sheep farmers for fodder. The tree has several medicinal uses, including reduction of fever and cough suppression.
Pterocarpus erinaceus is one of the traditional djembe woods.
Pterocarpus erinaceus was brought to Europe in the 19th century by the Scottish explorer Mungo Park. Currently, it is a threatened due to overexploitation, environmental degradation, and climatic changes. However, the tree is somewhat prolific and easy to cultivate, so reforestation efforts have shown some success.
Other names for the tree include bani in Fulfulde, tolo in Djerma, and ban in Serer.