Bitter Angelim Hardwood (Vatairea lundellii)
Family
Fabaceae
Scientific Name
Vatairea lundellii
Other Names
Mora (Nicaragua, Costa Rica), Amargoso (Honduras), Angelim, Faveira (Brazil), Caralillo, Bitterwood, Amargo (Panama), Danto, Ramon (Guatemala)
General Description
Bitter Angelim, or Mora as it is known in Nicaragua, is a large tropical tree that with a range throughout Central America. When freshly cut, its grain is bright yellow, darkening with esposure to a medium brown. Because it is durable and stable, but also very attractive, Bitter Angelim is used for a variety of purposes from furniture to interior and exterior construction.
Workability
Whether machining or working by hand, Bitter Angelim is a highly workable hardwood that responds well to gluing and use of fasteners. Using sharp cutting tools for planing, chiseling, turning, etc. will ensure results of a high caliber, although the blunting affect is moderately high.
Drying
Vatairea lundellii’s heartwood dries at a moderately slow rate, in a consistently stable manner, developing few defects. Once dry, it is an easy hardwood to seal, readily accepting finishes and treatments. Kiln schedules T5-D3 and T3-D2 are recommended for 4/4 and 8/4 stocks, respectively.
Durability
Overall, a very durable tropical hardwood, Bitter Angelim possesses high natural resistance to both dry wood borers, like termites, and rotting. Its grain, also responds to preservative treatments well, making it a preferable choice for exterior construction.
Uses
Furniture, doors, windows, structural components (interior and exterior), joinery, decking, railroad crossties, veneers, paneling, cabinetry
Technical Data*
Janka hardness: 1,420 lbs
Density: 753 Kg/m3, 0.75 g/cm3
Bending strength: 14,600 psi
Modulus of Elasticity: 1,790 (1,000 psi)
Tangential shrinkage: 7.4%
Radial shrinkage: 3.4%
* all values given at 12% moisture content
Download more Bitter Angelim info here:
- FSC description
- USDA Forest Service description
- CIRAD description
Other Exotic Hardwood Products:
