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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.
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.
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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