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LOTOFA (Sterculia rhinopetala)
Trade Name
Lotofa
Scientific Name
Sterculia rhinopetala K.Schum.
Family
STERCULIACEAE
Common Names
Lotofa (Côte d`Ivoire); N'kanang (Cameroon); Brown sterculia (United Kingdom); N`kanang (Cameroon); Aye (Nigeria); Wawabima (Ghana); Lotofa
Scientific Name Synonyms
Sterculia oblongifolia A. Chev.; Eribroma rhinopetala
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
The tree reaches a height of 30 to 40 m. The bole is cylindrical, straight and clear to 23 m in length, buttressed to 3 m. The trunk diameter attains 70 up to 130 cm.
Natural Habitat
Sterculia rhinopetala is found in lowland rain forests, and in drier savanna forests.
Natural Distribution
West Africa, from Cote d`Ivoire to Cameroon.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Wood diffuse porous. Occasionally vessels exclusively solitary (over 90%). Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 200 micras or more (large). Brown-colored deposits in heartwood vessels. Non-vestured pits. Vessels per mm2 less than 6 (rare). Simple perforation pl Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Axial parenchyma in thick bands. Axial parenchyma storied. Prismatic crystals in non-chambered axial parenchyma cells. Prismatic crystals in short chains in chambered axial parenchyma cells. 3 to 4 cells Rays less than 4 per mm (rare). Rays non-storied. Larger rays more than 4 seriate. Prismatic crystals in radial alignment in procumbent ray cells (chambered cells). Prismatic crystals in the ray cells. Non-septate fibers. Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Color
The sapwood is straw color, it has a thickness of 4 to 6 cm. The heartwood is pale reddish brown to red brown, it is clearly demarcated. The silver figure is large.
COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)
4
Grain
Straight or slightly interlocked, sometimes with an influence on further processing operations.
Texture
The wood is reported to have a coarse texture.
Luster
The wood surface is described as high in luster.
Natural Durability
Durable to decay; this species can be utilized without preservative treatment for exterior joinery or similar uses. Moderately resistant to termites attack. Heartwood is resistant to Lyctus attacks.
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
1
Internal Growth Stresses
Residual growth stresses are absent.
Silica Content
Silica Content: Silica content is negligible. Amounts over 0.05% may affect wood processing. Silica Value: 0
Resistance To Impregnation
Difficult to treat with only a low penetration of the preservative products.
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.74
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
0.84
Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
10.0
Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
5.0
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying: Drying is moderately easy; some particular care is needed. Drying Defects: No particular risks of drying defects, subject to normal drying conditions. Kiln Schedules: The kiln schedule has been tested.
Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule
FR-13
Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)
2.0
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)
1355
Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
190342
Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
732
Compression perpendicular to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
103
Shear strength radial 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
143
Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)
888
Janka hardness (end grain) 12%MC (kgf)
952
Workability
Sawing
Sawing of this species requires powerful equipment.
Rotary Veneer Cutting
Suitable for slicing, also suitable for peeling if treated.
Sliced Veneer
Suitable for slicing, also suitable for peeling if treated.
Blunting Effect
Slight blunting effect; ordinary tools can be used for sawing and machining.
Machining
It needs powerful tools for processing. Possible difficulties caused by interlocked grain are reported.
Planing
Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
Moulding
Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
Boring
Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
Mortising
Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
Nailing
Pre-boring is necessary.
Gluing
Difficult to glue because of high density.
Sanding
Easy to perform; it gives good results.
Polishing
Needs pre-coating.
Steam Bending
This species can be used for steam bending.
Response To Hand Tools
Working with hand tools is difficult.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
EXTERIOR GENERAL, rails, HOUSING GENERAL, beams, joists, boards, flooring, parquet, frames, steps, panelling, fittings, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, common furniture, PLYWOOD AND VENEER, faces, decorative
Exterior General
- 1 - Tabela de resultados de ensaios fisicos e mecanicos
Rails
- 6 - Physical and mechanical properties of Eucalyptus deglupta Blume grown in Costa Rica
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
Beams
- 11 - Prospect: The wood database
Joists
- 12 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part I-Tropical American Species
Boards
- 13 - Dry kiln schedules for commercial woods. Temperate and tropical. Section III. Latin American (Mexico, Central, and South America) Woods–Conventional Temperatures
Flooring
- 14 - Handbook of Hardwoods
Parquet
- 15 - Empire Timbers
Frames
- 16 - Woods of the World
Steps
- 17 - Tree Conservation Database
Paneling
- 18 - W3TROPICOS Missouri Botanical Garden
Fittings
- 19 - Silica in Timbers
Furniture Cabinets
- 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.
Furniture, Common
- 23 - Handbook of Hardwoods
Panels, Veneers
- 25 - Directory of Timber Trade Malaysia
Faces
- 26 - Annual Review and Assessment of the World Timber Situation 1998-ITTO
Decorative veneer
- 28 - Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forest of Fiji
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