Calophyllum Brasiliense (Santa maria)

Scientific Name
Calophyllum brasiliense

Trade Name
Santa maria

Family Name
Guttiferae

Common Names
Aceite, Aceite cachicamo, Aceite maria, Alfaro, Alfaro bella maria, Balsamaria, Bari, Baria, Barillo, Bella maria, Bintangor, Birma, Birmah, Brazil beauty leaf, Cachicamo, Calaba, Calabra, Calambuca, Came-marie, Cashicamo, Cedro cimarron, Cedro de patano, Ceite mario, Chijole, Chijole mahogany, Cojon, Crabwood, Dalemarie, Damage, Degame, Edaballi, False-mamey, Galba, Galba odorant, Guanandi, Guanandy, Guaya, Inglez, Jacare-uba, Jacareuba, Koelarie, Koerahara, Koerali, Koerli, Krassa, Kurahara, Lagarto-caspi, Landi, Landim, Laurac, Leche amarilla, Leche de mari, Leche de maria, Leche maria, Lorahara, Mani kwaha, Mara, Maria, Mario, Ocuje, Ocuje colarado, Palo de maria, Palo maria, Sakbaramte, Santa maria, Tzeltal, Vario, Wild calabash, Wild calebash, Wild-mamee, Yandiira

Regions of Distribution
Central America, Latin America, North America, Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico [US], Puerto Rico, United States, Venezuela

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Beams, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: framing, Bridge construction, Building construction, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chemical derivatives, Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Decks, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Door, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture, Handles: general, Handles: woodworking tools, Heavy construction, Joinery, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Office furniture, Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Plywood, Plywood: veneer (marine), Poles, Porch columns, Radio – stereo – TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Shakes, Sheathing, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Structural work, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels

Environmental Profile

Natural growth range includes the Carribean Islands, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

Distribution Overview
Grows throughout the West Indies and from Mexico southward through Central America and into northern South America. It is found on all types of soils-from wet, humid to very dry sites.

Heartwood Color

Fine dark veins are present

Sapwood Color

The sapwood merges seamlessly into the heartwood and is generally difficult to differentiate.

Grain

Texture

Luster

Natural Durability

Odor

Toxicity

Kiln Schedules

Drying Defects

Ease of Drying

Carefully controlled conditions may be required while air-drying. Quartersawn wood dries somewhat easier.

Kiln Drying Rate

Tree Identification

Product Sources
Timber from Central America is called by the trade name Santa Maria. The commercial name Jacareuba is reserved for Calophyllum timber from Brazil.

The ITTO reports that an important source of timber. Exportation is low but regular. The wood is imported from Brazil into the United States, Belgium, Venezuela, and France.

Comments
Care required during nailing and screwing

General finishing qualities are rated as good

May split during nailing

May split

Blunting Effect

Blunting effect can be severe on cutting tool edges if brown gum streaks are present

Boring

Below average boring properties. Ample support required during boring operations

Carving

Cutting Resistance

Brown gum streaks and interlocked grain can cause problems

Gluing

Mortising

Interlocked grain can effect mortising (can generate torn and chipped grain), but straight-grained material is worked easily in most operations

Moulding

Movement in Service

Moderate dimensional stability can be attained after seasoning

Nailing

Planing

To prevent grain from tearing a reduced cutting angle of 15 to 20 degrees is suggested

Resistance to Impregnation

To increase penetration incising is encouraged.

Resistance to Splitting

Response to Hand Tools

Routing & Recessing

Sanding

Screwing

To avoid splitting, pre-bore

Turning

Veneering Qualities

Steam Bending

Painting

Polishing

Staining

Varnishing

Strength Properties

Bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content) is high – comparable to Teak. Maximum crushing strength, or compression strength parallel to grain, is high. Some familiar species with high crushing strength parallel to grain include Hard maple, Teak, and White oak. Hardness is rated as medium. It resists denting and marring about as well as white oak or birch. The weight is high. The density is high

Numerical Data

References
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