POTOPOTO (Strephonema pseudocola)
Trade Name
Potopoto
Scientific Name
Strephonema pseudocola A.Chev.
Family
COMBRETACEAE
Common Names
Poto-poto (Côte d`Ivoire); mbomu (Cameroon); kangmbom (Cameroon); Eyengwe (Cameroon)
Scientific Name Synonyms
Strephonema apolloniense J.J. Clark
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
The tree reaches a height of 35 m. The bole is cylindrical and straight. The trunk diameter attains 100 cm.
Natural Habitat
Strephonema pseudocola grows on riversides and in wet type forests. Occasionally reported as an under-storey tree in high forest.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Wood diffuse porous. Vessels exclusively solitary (over 90%). Vessels of two distinct diameter classes, wood not ring-porous. Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 100 to 150 micras (small). Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 200 micras or more (large). Tylos Axial parenchyma aliform. Axial parenchyma confluent. Axial parenchyma in thick bands. Occasionally prismatic crystals in non-chambered axial parenchyma cells. Prismatic crystals in short chains in chambered axial parenchyma cells. Over 9 cells per parenchyma Rays more than 10 per mm (abundant). Rays non-storied. Rays 1 to 4 seriate. Heterogeneous rays and/or multiseriate heterogeneous rays. Non-septate fibers. Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Color
The sapwood is slightly paler than the heartwood. The heartwood is yellow-brown or pale olive, it is not clearly demarcated.
Grain
Straight; grain has no particular influence on drying, machining and finishing qualities.
Texture
This wood has a somewhat fine texture.
Natural Durability
Moderately durable to decay. Without preservative treatment, this species can be used only under risk of occasional re-humidification. It is not suited for uses with risks of permanent or long-lasting humidification. Sensible to termites attack. The heart
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
3
Silica Content
Silica Content: Negligible content of silica is reported. 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)
0.63
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
0.71
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying: Drying is rather slow and sometimes difficult to perform. Drying Defects: Risks of checks. Kiln Schedules: The kiln schedule has been tested.
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)
1005
Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
190955
Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
548
Compression perpendicular to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
70
Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)
617
Janka hardness (end grain) 12%MC (kgf)
712
Workability
Sawing
It is moderately easy to saw.
Rotary Veneer Cutting
Not suitable for veneering.
Sliced Veneer
Not suitable for veneering.
Blunting Effect
Slight blunting effect; ordinary tools can be used for sawing and machining.
Machining
Machining of this species is reportedly easy.
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
Glues well if basic gluing technical rules are followed.
Sanding
Easy to perform; it gives good results.
Polishing
Can be polished without surface preparation.
Response To Hand Tools
No particular problems.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
EXTERIOR GENERAL, HOUSING GENERAL, parquet, fittings, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, cabinets, SPORTS, TOOLS, tool handles, agricultural tools, NAVAL CONSTRUCTION, boats, OTHER AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, handicrafts
Exterior General
- 1 - Tabela de resultados de ensaios fisicos e mecanicos
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
Parquet
- 15 - Empire Timbers
Fittings
- 19 - Silica in Timbers
Furniture Cabinets
- 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.
Cabinet
- 24 - Empire Timbers
Sports
- 38 - Annual Review and Assessment of the World Timber Situation 1998-ITTO
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
Shipbuilding
- 55 - Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America
Boats
- 56 - Manual de Identificación de Especies Forestales de la Subregión Andina.
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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