Search for

Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Family Name Heartwood Color Natural Durability Numerical Data References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Scientific Name Gallesia scorododendrum Trade Name Garlic wood Family Name Phytolaccaceae Synonyms Gallesia gorazema Common Names Garlic wood, Guararema, Ibirarema, Pau d'alho Regions of Distribution Latin America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Brazil, Peru Common Uses Light construction Heartwood Color Purple Red Brown White to cream Sapwood Color Pink Same as heartwood Texture Coarse Natural Durability Perishable Moderately durable Figure Even Interlocked Straight Other (figure) Stripe (figure) Resistant to powder post beetles Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Tree Identification Bole/stem form is unknown Bole/stem form is misshapen Bole/stem form is fluted Comments General finishing qualities are rated as poor Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Response to Hand Tools Easy to machine Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Bending strength (MOR) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 7711 12078 psi Density 32 lbs/ft3 Hardness 995 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1358 1568 1000 psi Weight 31 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 13 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 542 849 kg/cm2 Density 512 kg/m3 Hardness 451 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 95 110 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 496 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % References Record, S.J., Mell, C.D.,1924,Timbers of Tropical America,Yale Univ. Press Sao Paulo - Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas,1956,Tabelas de Resultados obtidos para Madeiras Nacionais,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo, Brazil Bol., No.31(2nd Ed.) Takahashi, A.,1975,Compilation of data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part 2,Central and South America,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No.4