MTIB Malaysian Timber Industry Board : KELEMPAYAN

STANDARD NAME

KELEMPAYAN

(Light Hardwood)

(Also known as Laran in Sabah)

Family

Rubiaceae

BOTANICAL NAME

Neolamarckia cadamba

DISTRIBUTION

Common in the lowland forests near streams also commonly found at the fringes of used betaus.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Sapwood is not differentiated from the heartwood, which is white with a yellow tinge and darkening to creamy yellow on exposure.

Grain is straight.

Texture is moderately fine and even.

Vessels are medium-sized and open, few or moderately few, solitary and in radial groups of two to three, the groups predominating.

Wood parenchyma is rather sparse, just visible with a hand lens as diffuse strands, occasionally in tangential series of two to a few strands between the rays and as very occasional strands associated with the vessels.

Rays are moderately fine.

USES

Suitable for plywood manufacture, packing cases, wooden sandals, toys and disposable chopsticks.