Higuerilla negra

Geographical Distribution: The distribution of the species was obtained from literature and herbal reports within the provinces of Loreto, Huánuco, Pasco and Ucayali, between 0 and 500 m. above sea level. Considerable amounts of this species can be found in the Peruvian Amazon. The tree: 35 m. tall, 100 cm diameter. Round trunk, poorly developed visible roots. Surface of the bark is blackish red; when bark is scratched with an ax, t turns whitish. Dead bark comes apart in long three-millimeter-thick sheets, which become wider as diameter increases. Main bark is made up of two layers: a compact outer one with whitish areas over gray back ground; and a sheeted, whitish-gray one of about 3 mm thick. When cut with an ax, abundant and slightly sour white latex oozes.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, alburnum is pinkish white and duramen is red and regular. Great contrast of colors between layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns pink HUE 7/4 5YR and duramen turns reddish brown HUE 5/4 5YR. (Munsell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Non-distinctive.
Shine or gloss Opaque to medium.
Grain Straight.
Texture Thick.
Streaks or patterns: Dark parallel bands, vertical lines.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Higuerilla negra is a low-basic-density type of wood, showing low linear shrinkage and moderately stable volumetric shrinkage.
Mechanical resistance located in the limit of the medial rank.

Physical Properties
Primary density 0.40 g/CM3
Tangential contraction 6.75 %
Radial contraction 3.43 %
Volumetric contraction 8.92 %
T/R Ratio 2.20

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 94,000 kg/cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 403.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 209.00 kg /CM2
Perpendicular compression (ELP): 31.00 kg/CM2
Grain-parallel cut 47.00 kg/CM2
Hardness on the sides 136.00 kg/cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 3.50 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
Wood is moderately difficult to saw due to the latex contained, workability is relatively easy. Performs well when dried. Natural drying process takes 23 days using pile-on-ridge system. If dried artificially, it's advisable to use heavy-duty setting. Due to its low natural durability, wood is prone to biological attack. Preventive treatment of the logs immediately after extraction is advisable. Easily preserved using vacuum-pressure chamber and hot-cold bath systems, depicting good impregnability.

USES
Sawed wood is used for indoor construction, structures, construction carpentry, panels, dovetail joints, furniture, light cabinets. High potential use.