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MECHA (Chimarrhis glabriflora)
Trade Name
Mecha
Scientific Name
Chimarrhis glabriflora Ducke
Family
RUBIACEAE
Common Names
Jicopo (Ecuador); Intachi (Ecuador); Mecha (Ecuador)
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
It is reported to grow to heights of 25 m, usually with trunk diameters from 50 to 60 cm, sometimes up to 80 cm. This species has straight, cylindrical boles which are often without buttresses.
Natural Habitat
Chimarrhis glabriflora is found in primary and secondary forests in Ecuador and Peru, but it is reported to be more abundant especially in the south east tropical rain forest of Ecuador, between the sea level and 1,500 m of altitude.
Natural Distribution
C. glabriflora occurs in Ecuador and Peru.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Axial parenchyma absent or extremely rare, non visible with magnifying glass (8x). Larger rays more than 4 seriate.
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Odor
Seasoned wood has no characteristic odor or taste.
Color
The sapwood is moderately differentiated, it is pale yellow. The heartwood is yellow with reddish areas when dry.
Grain
This species usually has straight, but sometimes interlocked grain.
Texture
The texture of the wood is fine.
Luster
It has a moderate to high luster.
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
3
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.65
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
0.72
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Workability
Machining
Machining operations are rated as easy to fair.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
HOUSING GENERAL, beams, joists, flooring, steps
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
Beams
- 11 - Prospect: The wood database
Joists
- 12 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part I-Tropical American Species
Flooring
- 14 - Handbook of Hardwoods
Steps
- 17 - Tree Conservation Database
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