Scientific Name
Samanea pedicellaris
Trade Name
Boire la morue
Family Name
Leguminosae
Common Names
Aboonkini, Alawatta-moelerie, Asau, Baboen-banjie, Boire la morue, Bois ara, Bois cerf, Bougouni, Cambui, Cedre d’argent, Hoeroewassa, Kabana, Plokonie, Prefontaine rouge, Proekoenie, Red manariballi, Sera, Tamalin, Tamarinde plokonie
Regions of Distribution
Central America
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Brazil, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana
Common Uses
Construction, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, General carpentry, Interior construction, Interior trim
Environmental Profile
| Status has not been officially assessed |
Distribution Overview
The species occurs in the Guianas, and extends through the lower Amazon region of Brazil to Rio de Janeiro.
Heartwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Green/grey | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Somewhat striped | ||||||||||||
| Ages to dark rich shade of reddish-brown upon exposure | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Whitish | ||||||||||||
| Distinct but not clearly demarcated from the heartwood |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Birds-eye (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Figure if often slightly roey |
Texture
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Typically coarse |
Luster
| Low | ||||||||||||
| Golden luster |
Natural Durability
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Moderately resistant to decay |
Odor
| No specific smell or taste |
Drying Defects
| Checking | ||||||||||||
| Distortion |
Ease of Drying
| Rapidly | ||||||||||||
| Reconditioning Treatement |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 0-10 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 30-40 m |
Trees in French Guiana are described as beautiful with ascending branches, a cylindrical or irregular stem that are sometimes up to 48 inches (120 cm) in diameter and 90 to 100 feet (27 to 30 m) to the first of the large branches
Blunting Effect
| Little |
Boring
| Fairly easy to very easy |
Carving
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw | ||||||||||||
| Saws without difficulty |
Mortising
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Moulding
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Planing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Permeable sapwood | ||||||||||||
| Permeable heartwood |
Response to Hand Tools
| Responds Readily |
The timber works well but radial surfaces are often difficult to work to a smooth finish
Routing & Recessing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Sanding
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Polishing
| High finish |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
References
Record, S.J. and R.W. Hess. 1943. Timbers of the New World. Published on the Charles Lathrop Pack Foundation, Yale University Press, New Haven CT