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Species

Major species: Sterculia parvifolia Roxb. Other species: S. foetida L.; S. Kunstleri King; S. Macrophylla Vent.

General Characteristics

Sapwood: Hardly distinguishable from slightly darker heartwood. Heartwood: Straw colour to light brown, sometimes light red brown. Texture: Moderately coarse and uneven because of the broad rays; grain straight to shallowly interlocked. Weight (Air-dry): Wood soft to moderately hard; light to moderately heavy with an average of 40 lb/cu.ft. Durability: Not durable under exposed condition. The sapwood is susceptible to sap-stain fungus and powder beetle attacks.

Structure

Growth rings infrequent occasional bands of parenchyma present which may stimulate growth-rings. Vessels medium sized to moderately large; fairly numerous, solitary and in radial groups of 2 to 3, rarely 4, occasionally vessels present in clusters; no deposits, tyloses scare. Wood Parenchyma abundant, visible to the naked eye; abundant paratracheal parenchyma appearing as borders around the vessels and occasionally alifrom and locally confluent; apotracheal parenchyma appearing as band which are irregularly spaced. Ripple marks present but indistinct, being formed from the storeying of parenchyma rather than rays. Intercellular canals not observed .

Other Features

Lather test negative .

Uses

The timber is suitable for temprorary light construction, packing cases, core veneers for plywood and shuttering.