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SANTA MARIA (Calophyllum mariae)
Trade Name
Santa Maria
Scientific Name
Calophyllum mariae
Family
CLUSIACEAE
Common Names
Kurahura (Surinam); Leche María (Mexico); Palo María (Ecuador); Balsa María (Bolivia); Mario (Colombia); Aceite Cachicamo (Colombia); Aceite Mario (Colombia); Santa Maria
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
The trees are reported to reach heights of 35 m, with trunk diameters ranging from 50 to 70 cm. They develop well-formed and cylindrical boles that are 15 m long in the average.
Natural Habitat
The natural growth range of this species is the humid rain forests of tropical America.
Natural Distribution
It is reported from Mexico and Panama, south to Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Wood diffuse porous. Vessels in dendritic pattern. Vessels in diagonal and/or radial pattern. Vessels exclusively solitary (over 90%). Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 200 micras or more (large). Vessels per mm2 6 to 10 (medium). Vascular/vasicentric trache Axial parenchyma in marginal or in seemingly marginal bands. Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Axial parenchyma confluent. Prismatic crystals in non-chambered axial parenchyma cells. Axial parenchyma in narrow bands on lines up to 3 cel 4 to 10 rays per mm (medium). Rays exclusively uniseriate. Heterogeneous rays and/or multiseriate heterogeneous rays. Non-septate fibers. Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Odor
Seasoned wood has no characteristic odor or taste.
Color
The sapwood is pinkish white, turning gradually into the heartwood which is reddish pink color.
COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)
4
Grain
This species is reported to have interlocked grain.
Texture
This species is usually reported to have a coarse texture.
Luster
Luster is high to medium.
Natural Durability
It is moderately resistant to decay and dry wood insects, but it can be attacked by termites.
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
3
Resistance To Impregnation
The heartwood is difficult to preserve.
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.51
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
0.56
Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
8.5
Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
5.1
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying: Drying is reported to be rapid. Drying Defects: Severe checking and a slight tendency to cupping.
Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule
UK-B; JUNAC-C
Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)
1.7
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)
885
Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
124000
Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
514
Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)
467
Janka hardness (end grain) 12%MC (kgf)
670
Workability
Sawing
Sawing of this species is easy.
Rotary Veneer Cutting
This species can be sliced for decorative veneer.
Sliced Veneer
This species can be sliced for decorative veneer.
Blunting Effect
It has a slight blunting effect on the cutting tools.
Machining
Machining of this species is reported to be easy, but some difficulties might occur due to interlocked grain.
Nailing
It has good nail holding, but some tendency to split is reported.
Gluing
This species is easy to glue.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
HOUSING GENERAL, boards, flooring, steps, panelling, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, cabinets, PLYWOOD AND VENEER, OTHER AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, moldings
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
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
Steps
- 17 - Tree Conservation Database
Paneling
- 18 - W3TROPICOS Missouri Botanical Garden
Furniture Cabinets
- 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.
Cabinet
- 24 - Empire Timbers
Panels, Veneers
- 25 - Directory of Timber Trade Malaysia
Molding
- 79 - Padronização da Nomenclatura Comercial Brasileira das Madeiras Tropicais Amazônicas, Sugestão
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