Botanically, guariuba(Clarisia racemosa) belongs to the Moraceae family and is mainly native to the Amazon region and northern and north-eastern Bolivia. Guariuba is related to the well-known Iroko / Kambala from West and Central Africa. Guariuba is readily available in the tropical humid forests.
Heartwood initially yellow to yellowish-brown, very soon darkening to a uniform shade of brown in the light, comparable to Iroko / Kambala. Pores not numerous, fine and scattered. Storage cells in wavy, discreet, somewhat clearer at the growth zones. Cells contain white-yellowish substances, even if only sporadically. Twisted growth sporadically present, mostly straight-grained, plain to decorative.
Density at u=12% is 0.65 – 0.70 t/m³. The shrinkage from the fresh state to u=12% is specified as 4.8% tangential and 2.5% radial. Drying can be carried out easily without any particular losses or cracking. Guariuba can be worked moderately well; however, silicate inlays – comparable to teak – lead to shorter tool life. Planed and turned surfaces have an attractive sheen. Guariuba is weather-resistant, i.e. it can be kept in permanent contact with the ground for approx. 15 years and can therefore be classified in durability class 2.
Iroko, teak, ipé.
| Sources: |
ATIBT 1990: Atlas de maderas tropicales de América Latina GOTTWALD 1970: Wood identification of the most important commercial timbers Camera Forestal de Bolivia/BOLFOR Project 1998: Bolivian Woods |
