Myristica chartacea (Kaudamu)

Scientific Name
Myristica chartacea

Trade Name
Kaudamu

Family Name
Myristicaceae

Common Names
Darah darah, Duguan, Kaudamu, Kumpang, Mutwinda, Penarahan, Tambolau

Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Fiji [Polynesia], Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

Common Uses
Balusters, Bedroom suites, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Core Stock, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles: general, Hardboards, Hatracks, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Light construction, Living-room suites, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer

Environmental Profile

Distribution Overview
Species in the Myristica genus are reported to occur in the Indo-Malayan region, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Western Pacific Islands.

Heartwood Color

Sapwood Color

Grain

Wood has a plain appearance without features

Texture

Luster

Natural Durability

Logs should be removed quickly from the forest after felling to prevent degrade from blue- and yellow-stain.

Odor

Kiln Schedules

Drying Defects

Ease of Drying

The timber requires carefully controlled drying conditions to prevent degrade. Mild kiln schedules are recommended, and a short reconditioning treatment may be necessary to remove collapse.

Kiln Drying Rate

Tree Size
Boles are described as often straight and cylindrical.

Product Sources
Kaudamu is the trade name of timber produced by four Myristica species in Fiji. The timbers are very similar and are often mixed and marketed together under the same trade name.

Boring

Carving

Cutting Resistance

Mortising

The material is reported to mortise easily with ordinary tools to produce clean surfaces

Moulding

Nailing

Planing

Resistance to Impregnation

Resistance to Splitting

Response to Hand Tools

Routing & Recessing

Sanding

Turning

Veneering Qualities

Polishing

Strength Properties

The bending strength of air-dried wood of the species is similar to that of Teak, which is considered to be strong. Teak, White oak, and Hard maple have high crushing strength. It is moderately hard and resistant to wearing and marring

Numerical Data

References
Alston, A.S.,1966,Powder Post Beetle Lyctus Species,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No.6

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1972,The Mechanical Properties of 56 Fijian Timbers,Australia C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper,No.,62

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Fiji Department of Forestry,1972,Guide to the use of local timbers,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No.55

Fiji Forestry Department,1966,The Properties and Potential Uses of Kaudamu (Myristica species) A Summary,of C.S.I.R.O. Investigations,Fiji Timbers and their Uses No. 11, Department of Forestry, Suva, Fiji.

Fiji Forestry Department,1969,Timbers for Flooring A Note on Current & Potential Species,Fiji Timbers and their Uses No.36, Department of Forestry, Suva, Fiji

Fiji Forestry Department,1981,The Properties and Uses of 43 Indigenous and Exotic Timbers,Fiji Forestry Department, Fiji Timbers and their Uses No.71

Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1