CARAHUASCA (Guatteria hyposericea)
Trade Name
Carahuasca
Scientific Name
Guatteria hyposericea Diels
Family
ANNONACEAE
Common Names
Carahuasca (Peru)
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
It is reported to reach 20 to 30 m in height, with a trunk diameter of about 25 to 50 cm. The bark, which can be removed in large stripes, is used for rural constructions.
Natural Habitat
Guatteria hyposericea prefers the inundable or temporary flooded primary forests.
Natural Distribution
The geographical range for this species is the Brazilian and Peruvian Amazonia.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Occasionally tangential diameter of vessel lumina 200 micras or more. Vessels per mm2 less than 6 (rare). Axial parenchyma in continuous tangential lines (included in reticulate and scalariform). Rays less than 4 per mm (rare). Larger rays width 0. 1 mm or more and 2 mm or more in height. Larger rays more than 4 seriate. Occasionally oil and/or mucilage cells associated with the axial and/or ray parenchyma (idioblasts). Occasionally fibers with distinctly bordered pits.
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Odor
The wood has no specific odor or taste.
Color
The sapwood is differentiated. The heartwood is reddish brown in color.
Grain
The grain is frequently straight.
Texture
The texture of the wood is frequently coarse.
Luster
Timber of this species is moderate in luster.
Natural Durability
It is non-durable when exposed to the weather or in contact with the ground.
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
5
Internal Growth Stresses
Residual stresses present in the wood may cause defects while processing the timber.
Resistance To Impregnation
This timber can be impregnated fairly easily.
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.52
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
0.57
Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
8.0
Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
3.9
Drying Defects
Drying Defects: Risk of warping and checking is reported. Kiln Schedules: Careful drying is recommended.
Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)
2.1
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)
620
Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
123000
Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
328
Compression perpendicular to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
45
Shear strength radial 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
72
Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)
375
Workability
Sawing
Cutting operations are easy, but sometimes woolly surfaces are reported.
Machining
Wood processing is reported to be easy.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
HOUSING GENERAL, fittings, PACKING
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
Fittings
- 19 - Silica in Timbers
Packing
- 45 - Recopilación y Análisis de Estudios Tecnológicos de Maderas Peruanas
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