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VIROLA (Virola michelii)

Trade Name

Virola

Scientific Name

Virola michelii Heckel

Family

MYRISTICACEAE

Common Names

Colorado; Camaticaro (Venezuela); Sangrino (Venezuela); Cuajo (Venezuela); Virola (Venezuela); Otivo (Venezuela); Cajuea (Trinidad & Tobago); Pintri (Surinam); Cumala (Peru); Moulomba (Guyana); Shempo (Ecuador); Chaliviande (Ecuador); Nuanamo (Colombia); Ucuuba (Brazil); Baboen (Surinam); Palo De Sangre; Cumala Blanca (Peru); Cumala Colorada (Peru); Sangre; Birma; Bicuiba Branca (Brazil); Yayamadou (Guyana); Ucuhuba (Brazil); Virola (Brazil); Tapsava; Dalli (Guyana); Banak; Sebo (Colombia); Virola (Brazil)

Scientific Name Synonyms

Virola melinoni Benoist

Description Of The Tree

Botanical Description

It is a medium size tree, attaining heights of 7 to 19 m, and trunk diameters of about 45 to 60 cm in the average. The trunk is straight and cylindrical, sometimes fluted boles are also reported.

Natural Distribution

In Brazil this species is reported in the Para state.

Wood Identification

Anatomic Description Of Wood

Wood diffuse porous. Vessels solitary and in short radial multiples. Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 150 to 200 micras (medium). Colored deposits in heartwood vessels. Tyloses thin walled. Occasionally tyloses common. Vessels per mm2 10 to 20 (abundant). Si Axial parenchyma absent or extremely rare, non visible with magnifying glass (8x). 4 to 10 rays per mm (medium). Rays commonly 2 seriate. Heterogeneous rays and/or multiseriate heterogeneous rays. Body ray cells procumbent with over 4 rows of upright and/or square marginal cells (Kribs-I). Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.

  • Wood Macro Photo Tangential Plane
  • Wood Micro Photo Of Transversal Section

Availability

Cites Status

Unrestricted

General Wood Description

Color

The heartwood and sapwood are indistinct. The wood is light reddish-brown color.

COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)

4

Grain

The grain is usually straight.

Texture

The texture varies from fine to medium.

Luster

The wood surface is moderate in luster.

Natural Durability

It is easily attacked by fungi or termites. It is reported to be also attacked by Lyctus.

Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)

5

Resistance To Impregnation

This species is reported to be easy to preserve, with good retention and penetration of preservatives.

Wood Physical Properties

Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)

0.50

Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)

0.54

Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)

9.9

Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)

4.7

Drying Defects

Ease of Drying: Drying is rapid. Drying Defects: Slight tendency to checking and cupping is reported.

Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule

UK-C; US-T3-C2

Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)

2.1

Wood Chemical Properties

Wood Mechanical Properties

Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)

972

Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

121000

Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

522

Compression perpendicular to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

50

Shear strength radial 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

101

Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)

472

Janka hardness (end grain) 12%MC (kgf)

671

Workability

Sawing

Sawing of this species is reported to be rather easy.

Rotary Veneer Cutting

This species is reported to be interesting for lamination.

Sliced Veneer

This species is reported to be interesting for lamination.

Machining

Wood processing is reported to be easy.

Planing

Planing is reported to be easy.

Moulding

This species is easy to mold.

Boring

It is easy to bore.

Sanding

It is easy to sand.

Finishing

This species is reported to be easy to finish.

Response To Hand Tools

Response to hand tools is reported to be good.

REFERENCED USES

End Uses Summary

HOUSING GENERAL, panelling, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, PLYWOOD AND VENEER, PACKING

General Housing
  • 10 - Silica in Timbers
Paneling
  • 18 - W3TROPICOS Missouri Botanical Garden
Furniture Cabinets
  • 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.
Panels, Veneers
  • 25 - Directory of Timber Trade Malaysia
Packing
  • 45 - Recopilación y Análisis de Estudios Tecnológicos de Maderas Peruanas

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