TRADE NAME

NIANGON

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

  • Heritiera utilis Kosterm. (= Tarrietia utilis Sprague)
  • Heritiera densiflora Kosterm. (= Tarrietia densiflora Aubr. & Normand)

 

FAMILY

Sterculiaceae

 

 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa *

Sierra Leone : YAMI
Liberia : WHISMORE
Ivory Coast : NIANGON
Ghana : NYANKOM
Gabon : OGOUE
* Mainly H. densiflora

Pr. = FAIRLY IMP. (Decreasing) Ex. = FAIRLY IMP., REGUL.

 

 

SAPWOOD

White to greysih-white, demarcated, 7 cm

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Pink brown to red brown, darkening on exposure
  • Grain : Slightly interlocked
  • Texture : Medium
  • Silver figure : Large
  • Oily feel : Rancid smell

 

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 900 – 1000
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (medium) 700
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (medium) 0.44
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 9.7
  • Total radial swelling R% = 4.4
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 55
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 144
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 11500

 

 

END USE

  • Interior and exterior joinery
  • High-class furniture
  • Plywood
  • Interior fittings

 

 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Moderate
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – An alternate for MENKULANG for some end-uses.
    – OGOUE from Gabon is heavier.