SEIKCHE (Bridelia retusa)
Trade Name
Seikche
Scientific Name
Bridelia retusa (L.) A. Juss.
Family
EUPHORBIACEAE
Common Names
Lepcha (India); Seikchibo (Myanmar); Teng nam (Thailand); Rang thon (Thailand); Seikchi (Myanmar)
Scientific Name Synonyms
Clutia retusa L.; Bridelia stipularis (L.) Blume
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
It is described as a medium sized tree. Average diameters of 60 to 70 cm and straight boles up to 10 to 12 meters are reported.
Natural Habitat
This species is found in secondary evergreen to semideciduous forests and less in primary forests. It is usually close to rivers, in well drained habitats, up to 1,800 m of altitude.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Wood diffuse porous. Vessels in diagonal and/or radial pattern. Occasionally tangential diameter of vessel lumina 100 micras or less. Tyloses common. Vessels per mm2 5 to 20. Vessel-ray pits reticulate and/or foraminate. Simple perforation plates. Intervessel pi Apotracheal axial parenchyma diffuse and/or diffuse in aggregates. Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Occasionally paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Occasionally prismatic crystals in non-chambered axial parenchym 4 to 10 rays per mm (medium). Occasionally larger rays more than 4 seriate. Prismatic crystals in radial alignment in procumbent ray cells (chambered cells). Occasionally body ray cells procumbent with over 4 rows of upright and/or square marginal cells (Kri Septate fibers present. Fibers very thin walled. Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.
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Wood Macro Photo Radial Plane
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Wood Micro Photo Of Transversal Section
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Color
Heartwood pink with straw-colored streaks or olive-grey-brown, distinct from the yellow-brown or straw sapwood only in the green condition.
COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)
5
Grain
Grain interlocked and sometimes wavy.
Texture
Texture moderately fine and even. Attractive mottled silver grain present on radial surface of wood. Wood very grease.
Natural Durability
The durability varies from moderately durable to non-durable under exposed conditions. Wood samples are susceptible to attack by ambrosia beetle. The sapwood is susceptible to attack.
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
6
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.61
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
0.68
Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule
JP-24
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Workability
Machining
The wood is easy to work with machine tools, but is somewhat fibrous.
Response To Hand Tools
The wood is easy to work with hand tools, but is somewhat fibrous.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
HOUSING GENERAL, frames, PLYWOOD AND VENEER, Decorative veneer, TOOLS, tool handles, agricultural tools, OTHER AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, handicrafts
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
Frames
- 16 - Woods of the World
Panels, Veneers
- 25 - Directory of Timber Trade Malaysia
Decorative veneer
- 28 - Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forest of Fiji
Tools
- 42 - Utilización Industrial de Nuevas Especies Forestales en el Perú.
Tool Handles
- 43 - Maderas de Bolivia (Características y Usos de 55 Maderas Tropicales)
Agricultural Tools
- 44 - Atlas of Peruvian Woods
Handcraft
- 66 - Maderas latinoamericanas. VII. Caracteristicas anatomicas. propiedades fisicomecanicas, de secado, y tratabilidad de la madera juvenil de Cordia alliodora (Ruiz & Pav. Oken.)
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