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COUROUPITA (Couroupita spp)

Trade Name

Couroupita

Scientific Name

Couroupita spp.

Family

LECYTHIDACEAE

Common Names

Couroupita; Aiauman; Bala De Cañón; Coco De Mono; Castanha (Brazil); Cannon Ball Tree

Scientific Name Synonyms

Pontopidana Scop.; Elsholtzia Neck.

Description Of The Tree

Botanical Description

Trees of this genus are large, with total heights ranging from 20 to 35 m, and diameters of 80 cm in the average. The flowers, fruits and wood of this tree are reported to have an unpleasant odor. The fruits are used as medicine for skin ailments.

Natural Habitat

Couroupita trees are reported in alluvial forests, growing on non-inundable soils.

Natural Distribution

Couroupita is distributed from the lower Amazon region up to Nicaragua. In Peru it is reported in Ucayali and Huanuco.

Non Timber Uses

In Peru, the fruit is locally used as medicine.

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Wood Identification

Anatomic Description Of Wood

Wood diffuse porous. Vessels solitary and in short radial multiples. Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 200 micras or more (large). Vessels per mm2 less than 6 (rare). Vessel-ray pits similar to intervessel pits in size and shape. Intervessel pits large, 10 Axial parenchyma in continuous tangential lines (included in reticulate and scalariform). Prismatic crystals in chambered axial parenchyma cells and/or in fibers. 5 to 8 cells per parenchyma strand. Axial parenchyma bands over 4 per mm. 4 to 10 rays per mm (medium). Rays 1 to 4 seriate. Homogeneous rays and/or sub-homogeneous rays (all ray cells procumbent). Fibers with distinctly bordered pits.

  • Wood Macro Photo Tangential Plane
  • Wood Micro Photo Of Transversal Section

Availability

Cites Status

Unrestricted

General Wood Description

Odor

The wood has a fetid smell when green.

Color

The heartwood and sapwood are indistinct. The timber is pale yellow, sometimes grayish.

COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)

6

Grain

The grain is straight, sometimes slightly interlocked.

Texture

The texture varies from medium to coarse.

Natural Durability

Couroupita is reported to have low natural resistance.

Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)

5

Resistance To Impregnation

This timber can be impregnated without difficulty.

Wood Physical Properties

Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)

0.46

Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)

0.50

Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)

7.3

Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)

4.0

Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)

1.8

Wood Chemical Properties

Wood Mechanical Properties

Workability

Sawing

It is easy to cut, but woolly surfaces are often reported.

Rotary Veneer Cutting

Lamination of this species is possible.

Sliced Veneer

Lamination of this species is possible.

Machining

It is easy to machine.

Nailing

Nailing is good, but it has poor nail holding.

Finishing

It is easy to finish.

REFERENCED USES

End Uses Summary

HOUSING GENERAL, fittings, OTHER AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, moldings

General Housing
  • 10 - Silica in Timbers
Fittings
  • 19 - Silica in Timbers
Molding
  • 79 - Padronização da Nomenclatura Comercial Brasileira das Madeiras Tropicais Amazônicas, Sugestão

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