Cynometra spp. (Kekatong)
Nomenclature etc. CAESALPINIACEAE. Cynometra malaccensis, C. ramiflora, C. elmeri, C. inaequifolia, C. mirabilis. Trade and local names: kekatong, belangan (MAL); katong, katong-katong (MAL-Sar/Sab); kateng, kepel (RI); oringen, balitbitan (RP); chum-prinh (K); mangkhak, katong (T). Status of protection under CITES regulations: not protected.
Tree. Geographic distribution: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indomalesia.
General. Heartwood basically dark brown, with streaks. Sapwood colour distinct from heartwood colour. Basic specific gravity (0.72–)0.85–1.06(–1.15) g/cm³.
Vessels. Wood diffuse-porous. Vessels arranged in no specific pattern, in multiples, commonly short (2–3 vessels) radial rows or radial rows of 4 or more. Average tangential vessel diameter 120–140(–220) µm. Average number of vessels/mm² 2–5(–10). Perforation plates simple. Intervessel pits alternate, average diameter (vertical) 3–4(–5) µm, vestured. Vessel-ray pits with distinct borders, similar to intervessel pits. Helical thickenings absent. Tyloses in vessels absent. Other deposits in heartwood vessels not observed.
Tracheids and fibres. Fibres of medium wall thickness, or very thick-walled. Average fibre length 1500–2500 µm. Fibre pits mainly restricted to radial walls, simple to minutely bordered. Fibres non-septate.
Axial parenchyma. Axial parenchyma present, banded. Axial parenchyma bands not marginal (or seemingly marginal). Occasionally with narrow marginal bands. Axial parenchyma paratracheal. Paratracheal axial parenchyma aliform, or confluent. Aliform parenchyma lozenge. Axial parenchyma as strands. Average number of cells per axial parenchyma strand (2–)4.
Rays. Rays 8–10 per tangential mm, multiseriate, also if only few, (1–)2–3(–4) cells wide. Rays composed of two or more cell types. Heterocellular rays square and upright cells restricted to marginal rows. Number of marginal rows of upright or square cells 1.
Storied structures. Storied structure absent.
Secretory structures. Intercellular canals absent.
Mineral inclusions. Crystals present, prismatic, located in ray cells or axial parenchyma cells. Crystal-containing ray cells upright and/or square or procumbent, upright and/or square ray cells chambered. Crystal-containing axial parenchyma cells chambered. Number of crystals per cell or chamber one. Cystoliths absent. Silica not observed.
Cite this publication as: H. G. Richter and M. J. Dallwitz (2000 onwards). 'Commercial timbers: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval.' In English, French, German, and Spanish. Version: 4th May 2000. http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/.
Dallwitz (1980) and Dallwitz, Paine and Zurcher (1993 onwards, 1995 onwards, 1998) should also be cited (see General references).