Gymnostemon

Gymnostemon is a monotypic genus of plants in the family Simaroubaceae. The sole species, Gymnostemon zaizou, is semi-deciduous forest tree. It is endemic to Côte d'Ivoire and threatened by habitat loss throughout its native range of the Sassandra River Basin. G. zaizou is a commercial hardwood species that is well-adapted to the heavy rainfall of western Africa. Wood from this species of tree is also used locally to make barred percussion instruments.