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Nomenclature etc. MYRISTICACEAE. V. carinata, V. cuspidata, V. elongata, V. flexuosa, V. gardneri, V. kukachkana, V. michelii, V. multicostata, V. pavonis, V. sebifera, V. surinamensis. Trade and local names: bicuiba, bucuva, bucuvcú (BR); cuangaré, sangre de toro, sebo, otobo, nunamo (CO); cumala (PE); chalviande, shempo (EC); palo santo negro (BO); baboen (SR); dalli (GB, GY); camaticaro, cuajo, otivo (VE); fruta dorada (CR); miguelario (PA).
Tree. Geographic distribution: Mexico and Central America, Caribbean, tropical South America, southern Brazil.
General. Growth ring boundaries indistinct or absent. Heartwood basically pinkish brown, red. Sapwood colour similar to heartwood colour. Density 0.4–0.65 g/cm³ (V. carinata: 0.70–0.75).
Vessels. Vessels present. Wood diffuse porous. Vessels in multiples, commonly in short (2–3 vessels) radial rows. Average tangential vessel diameter 90–160 µm (140–200 in V. kukachkana, V. surinamensis). Average number of vessels/mm² 6–12 (2–5 in V. kukachkana, V. surinamensis). Perforation plates predominantly simple (rarely) or scalariform, with (1–)3–8 bars. Irregular, reticulate perforation plates can also be observed occasionally; diagnostically insignificant. Intervessel pits alternate, average diameter (vertical) 8–12 µm. Vessel-ray pits with reduced borders or apparently simple, rounded or angular or horizontal to vertical, of uniform size or type. Tyloses present (sporadically), thinwalled.
Tracheids and fibres. Fibres very thin-walled, or of medium wall thickness. Average fibre length 1200–1800 µm (V. surinamensis). Fibre pits mainly restricted to radial walls, simple to minutely bordered. Fibres septate and non-septate, or non-septate; scattered near vessels and rays.
Axial parenchyma. Axial parenchyma banded or not banded. Bands marginal (or seemingly marginal). Bands fine. Apotracheal axial parenchyma diffuse-in-aggregates. Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty. Axial parenchyma as strands. Average number of cells per strand: 4–10.
Rays. Rays 5–9 per tangential mm, multiseriate, (1–)2 cells wide, narrow (2–3 seriate). Height of large rays up to 500 µm. Rays composed of two or more cell types (heterocellular). Heterocellular rays with square and upright cells restricted to marginal rows, mostly 1 marginal row of upright or square cells or mostly 2–4 marginal rows of upright or square cells.
Storied structures. Storied structure absent.
Secretory structures. Oil and mucilage cells absent. Intercellular canals absent. Laticifers or tanniniferous tubes present (tanniniferous tubes tubes à tanins).
Mineral inclusions. Crystals not observed. Silica not observed.
Illustrations. • Macroscopic images. transverse (ca. 10x). tangential (natural size). • Transverse section. Virola multinervia. • Tangential section. Virola multinervia. • Radial section. Virola multinervia. • Tanniniferous tube. Virola sebifera. Tanniniferous tube in ray »».
The interactive key allows access to the character list, illustrations, full and partial descriptions, diagnostic descriptions, differences and similarities between taxa, lists of taxa exhibiting specified attributes, summaries of attributes within groups of taxa, and geographical distribution.
Cite this publication as: ‘Richter, H.G., and Dallwitz, M.J. 2000 onwards. Commercial timbers: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval. In English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Version: 9th April 2019. delta-intkey.com’.
