Rhodognaphalon spp.

Specifications

Family

Bombacaceae

Species

Rhodognaphalon spp.

Common name

Rhodognaphalon spp.
Commonly known as

wild kapok tree

Description

They have a broad, pinkish-grey sapwood and a red or purplish-brown heartwood, with a coarse texture, generally straight grain, and a density between 0.44 and 0.60. They have modest mechanical strength and poor durability.

Plant morphology

They are large trees up to 30-40 m tall with a columnar trunk with a maximum diameter of 3 m. The leaves are palmately compound with entire margins and deciduous. The large red flowers, composed of five petals and numerous stamens, open when the tree is leafless.

Natural occurrence

Countries of origin and distribution

Equatorial West Africa: Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Trinidad and Tobago.

Habitat and ecology

They are widespread species from sea level up to 600 m in primary forest and secondary formations.

Uses

Use class

CU1

CU2

CU3

CU4

CU5

Application areas

It is used for continuous joinery, packaging, furniture frames, strips, frames, plywood.

Threats and Conservation

Threats

Overharvesting. Population dynamics are poorly understood, but these species appear to have a low regeneration rate.

Conservation measures

Not reported.

IUCN Red List IUCN

Rhodognaphalon brevicuspe VU - Vulnerable - Vulnerable (1998).

CITES. Year of assessment CITES

CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento

Not present.

Technical data

Aesthetic characteristics

Grain

Slightly obvious

Texture

Coarse

Physical and mechanical properties

Density
ρ

410 kg/m³

Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.

MPa

Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.

MPa

Bending strength
M.O.R.

46 MPa

Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.

6060 MPa

Durability characteristics

Fungal resistance

Not durable

Insect resistance

Not resistant

Miscellaneous

This wood is obtained from the processing of two species of the Rhodognaphalon genus: R. brevicuspe (Sprague) Roberty and R. mossambicense A. Robyns. Given their conservation status in the wild, the use of this wood should be avoided. The fruits of these trees are a fundamental part of the diet of numerous monkeys.