Bolaina blanca

Geographical Distribution: The distribution was obtained from literature and herbal reports whithin the provinces of Amazonas, Huánuco, Junín, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Pasco, San Martín and Ucayali, between 0 and 1000 m above sea level. Small amounts of this species can be found in the central Amazon, average amounts can be found in the southern Amazon of Peru.

The tree: 35 m tall, 50 cm diameter; round trunk, none or extended and divided visible roots. Flat or parasol-like top above the upper third. The surface of the bark is grayish, blackish, cracked and fissured. Main bark covered with small sheets, which can be removed in long stripes; in thick trees two layers can be observed: a compact, fibrous outer one and a fibrous, sheeted inner one. Both are beige, turning dark brown after being exposed to the air for a few seconds. A scarce. colorless. sweet mucilage oozes down.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, sapwood (alburnum) is white, similar to hardwood (duramen). Slight and gradual contrast between both layers. When dried in open air, alburnum. turns white HUE 8/2 10YR and duramen turns very pale brown HUE 8/3 10YR.(Munsell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Non-distinctive.
Shine or gloss Moderate to high.
Grain Straight.
Texture Medium.
Streaks or patterns: Glossy and shiny in the radial section. Vascular vertical lines.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Bolaina blanca is a lightweight type of wood. It shows medium linear shrinkage and stable volumetric shrinkage.
Mechanical resistance is in the limit of low and medial ranks.

Physical Properties
Primary density 0.41 g/CM3
Tangential contraction 5.50 %
Radial contraction 3.50 %
Volumetric contraction 10.75 %
T/R Ratio 1.60

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 97,860 kg/cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 507.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 270.60 kg/cm2
Perpendicular compression (ELP) 50.91 kg/cm2
Grain-parallel cut 50.59 kg/cm2
Hardness on the sides 303.43 kg/cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 0.98 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
The wood has proved to have mean mechanical resistance. Certain difficulty when sawed. Moderate workability, performs well when sanded, drilled or molded.
Stable when drying, low risk of warping.
Moderately resistant to biological attack.

USES
The wood is used in rural and urban construction, cabinet making, woodwork in general, laminating, toothpicks, ice-cream sticks, tongue-depressors, matches, toys. Suitable for paper pulp.