CURUPAY (Piptadenia grata)
Trade Name
Curupay
Scientific Name
Piptadenia grata (Willd.) J.F. Macbr.
Family
LEGUMINOSAE
Common Names
Angico preto (Brazil); Kurupau (Bolivia); Cebil moro (Argentina); Curupay (Argentina); Cebil colorado (Argentina); Angico vermelho (Brazil); Kurupa`y kuru (Paraguay); Kurupay (Paraguay); Kurupayra (Paraguay); Cebil (Argentina); Vilga (Peru); Tarahuilca (Peru); Algarrobo (Peru); Chocolatillo (Colombia); Vilco (Bolivia); Cebil (Bolivia); Curupau (Bolivia); Curupay Negro (Brazil); Dark Angico; Curupay (Brazil); Arapiraca (Brazil); Angico Preto Rajado (Brazil); Angico Preto (Brazil)
Scientific Name Synonyms
Piptadenia macrocarpa Benth.; Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan; Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan; Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan; Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil (Griseb.) Reis; Acacia grata Willd.
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
It is reported to attain a height of 20 to 35 m, with a trunk diameter that can reach up to 100 cm, but more commonly 40 to 70 cm in diameter. Usually the tree develops an irregular stem, with commercial lengths of 15 to 20 m. The seeds are reported to h
Natural Habitat
Piptadenia grata is a fast growing species, typical in secondary forests where it is dominant. It prefers stony or sandy well drained sites. Piptadenia is reported to regrow from the stump.
Natural Distribution
This species occurs in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay.
Non Timber Uses
The bark of this species is reported to have a high tannin content.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Wood diffuse porous. Vessels solitary and in short radial multiples. Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 100 micras or less (very small). Yellow-colored deposits in heartwood vessels. Vestured pits. Vessels per mm2 10 to 20 (abundant). Simple perforation plate Axial parenchyma in marginal or in seemingly marginal bands. Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Axial parenchyma lozenge-aliform. Axial parenchyma confluent. Prismatic crystals in chambered axial parenchyma cells and/or in fibers. 4 to 10 rays per mm (medium). Rays 1 to 4 seriate. Homogeneous rays and/or sub-homogeneous rays (all ray cells procumbent). Non-septate fibers. Fibers very thick walled. Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.
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Wood Macro Photo Tangential Plane
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Wood Micro Photo Of Transversal Section
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Odor
It has no distinct odor or taste.
Color
The sapwood is yellowish light brown, the heartwood gradually changes into reddish brown.
COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)
4
Grain
The grain is frequently interlocked.
Texture
The wood is frequently reported to be fine textured.
Luster
This species has moderate to high luster.
Natural Durability
P. grata is reported to be very durable, even in contact with the ground.
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
1
Resistance To Impregnation
It is very difficult to treat with preservatives.
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.90
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
1.05
Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
8.1
Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
4.9
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying: Drying is rapid. Drying Defects: Slight cupping but severe tendency to casehardening are reported.
Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)
1.7
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)
1890
Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
886
Workability
Sawing
Cutting is rated as difficult when the wood is dry, it is recommended to cut it while green.
Rotary Veneer Cutting
It can be used for decorative veneer.
Sliced Veneer
It can be used for decorative veneer.
Machining
Machining operations are rather difficult.
Planing
It is difficult to plane.
Moulding
Molding of this species is reported to be difficult.
Nailing
Nailing properties are poor.
Finishing
It is easy to finish.
Response To Hand Tools
The wood responds poorly to hand tools.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
EXTERIOR GENERAL, crossties, HOUSING GENERAL, beams, boards
Exterior General
- 1 - Tabela de resultados de ensaios fisicos e mecanicos
Crossties
- 8 - Maderas latinoamericas. III, Podocarpus standleyi ,Podocarpus oleifolius, Drims granadensis, Magnolia poasana y Didymopanax pittieri
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
Beams
- 11 - Prospect: The wood database
Boards
- 13 - Dry kiln schedules for commercial woods. Temperate and tropical. Section III. Latin American (Mexico, Central, and South America) Woods–Conventional Temperatures
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