Ana caspi

Geographical Distribution: The distribution of this species was obtained from literature and herbal reports within the provinces of Loreto, Madre de Dios and San Martín, between 0 and 1000 m above the sea level. Scarce in the central Amazon, more common -but not abundantin the southern Peruvian Amazon. The tree: 30 m tall or more. Cy1inder-type trunk; thin, raised visible roots at the base; parasol-like top, slightly open above the upper third of the total height; foliage barely dense, yellowish-green at the highest branches. Surface of the bark is between smooth and slightly granulose; dead bark comes apart in big irregular layers, like the pieces of a puzzle, leaving bas relief traces on the surface of the bark where a thin layer of cork remains. When scratched, this layer proves to be yellowish green. Main bark in two layers: the outer one is sheeted, compact, pink showing certain areas in pale orange; the inner one is sheeted, fibrous and compact.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, sapwood (alburnum) is creamy yellow and hardwood (duramen) is intensely yellow. Abrupt contrast of colors in between both layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns yellow HUE 8/6 2.5Y and duramen turns yellowish brown HUE 6/8 10YR.(Munsell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Distinctive, similar to almonds.
Shine or gloss Moderate / medium.
Grain Interbred.
Texture Delicate to medium
Streaks or patterns Barely defined due to overlapped
arches, slightly differentiated,
bands are narrow, parallel, glossy,
with golden glint.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Ana caspi is a heavy type of wood, depicting medium linear contractions and stable volumetric contraction.
Mechanical resistance is in the limit of medial and high ranks.

Physical Properties
Primary density 0.70 g/cm3
Tangential contraction 6.40 %
Radial contraction 4.20 %
Volumetric contraction 10.60 %
T/R Ratio 1.52

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 110,500 kg/cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 856.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 452.60 kg/CM2
Perpendicular compression (ELP) 84.70 kg/CM2
Grain-parallel cut 114.50 kg/cm2
Hardness on the sides 717.70 kg/cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 4.08 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE

Wood must be sawed with star-shaped tools due to the presence of silica. In the process of drying, wood is stable, little risk of warping. Resistant to biological attack, no need to be preserved.

USES
Due to its hardness, natives use it for the construction of canoes and ship hulls for the navy industry. Besides, it is also used in coach building, heavy structures, support constructions, columns, poles, railway sleepers, floor tiles, decorative plates, door and window frames.