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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 Corrosive Properties Countries of Distribution Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Luster Movement in Service Natural Durability Numerical Data Polishing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Size Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Hippomane mancinella Trade Name Arbol de la muerte Family Name Euphorbiaceae Common Names Arbol de la muerte, Arbol del diablo, Arvore da morte, Arvore de morte, Caximduba, Ficha, Hincha-huevos, Limoncillo, Mancanila, Mancenilheira, Mancenille, Mancenillier, Manchineel, Manchioneel, Mancinillier, Manconilier, Mangeniel, Manschinellapfel, Manzalinja, Manzanilla, Manzanillo, Manzanillo de costa, Manzanillo de la costa, Manzanillo de la playa, Manzanillo de playa, Manzinellenbaum, Maximilier, Penipeniche, Pinipiniche, Poison-guava, Pomme zombi Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America, North America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Bahamas, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Netherlands, Puerto Rico [US], Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Venezuela Common Uses Cabinetmaking, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Turnery Heartwood Color Red Brown Yellow Pink White Purple Green/grey Orange Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Greenish to greyish Dark brown Black Pale red to pink Pale brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Red White to yellow Paler than heartwood Grain Even Figure Straight Distinct (figure) Straight Distinct figure Texture Coarse Medium Fine Medium Luster Medium Low Lustrous Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Non-durable Moderately durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Perishable Non-resistant to marine borers Durable Very durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Corrosive Properties Reacts with metals Toxicity Dermatitic effects Poisonous Respiratory effects Unspecified toxicity Drying Defects Distortion Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking Ease of Drying Rapidly Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Bark width is 5-10 mm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Difficult to veneer Suitable for slicing Polishing Good results Satisfactory results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 41 lbs/ft3 Weight 40 32 lbs/ft3 Item Green Dry Metric Density 657 kg/m3 References Britton, N.L., Millspaugh, C.F.,1920,The Bahama Flora,Britton & Millspaugh,New York Fors, A.J.,1965,Maderas Cubanas,Inst. Nac. Ref. Agraria La Habara Little, E.L., Wadsworth, F.H.,1964,Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.249 Marshall, R.C.,1934,Trees of Trinidad and Tobago,Government Printer Port of Spain Trinidad Marshall, R.C.,1939,Silviculture of the trees of Trinidad and Tobago - British West Indies,O.U.P.,London Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press Record, S.J., Mell, C.D.,1924,Timbers of Tropical America,Yale Univ. Press Swabey, C.,1941,The Principal Timbers of Jamaica,Department of Science and Agriculture Jamaica Bulletin No.29 Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13