Wood anatomy and properties of three species in the genus Spondias lakonensis (Anacardiaceae) found in Thailand

The anatomy and properties of woods in the genus Spondias (Anacardiaceae) were investigated. Wood samples were collected from North and Northeast Thailand. Permanent slides of wood sections and tissue maceration were made. The specimens were observed under a light microscope and using scanning electron microscopy. The wood density, specific gravity and hardness were also investigated. It was found that the wood of all three species had indistinct growth rings and fine textured and straight grain. Kribs heterogeneous rays type I were found in Spondias lakonensis while Kribs heterogeneous rays type III were found in Spondias pinnata and Spondias cytherea. Radial canals were present in rays of all studied species. Prismatic crystals were found in the rays of S. lakonensis and S. cytherea but not in S. pinnata. Starch grains were also observed in S. pinnata and S. cytherea. The wood specific gravity of S. pinnata, S. lakonensis and S. cytherea was 0.45, 0.33 and 0.30; the wood density was 0.44, 0.33 and 0.27 g/cm3 and the wood hardness was 2795.85, 1329.26 and 1059 N, respectively. The results from this study suggest that Spondias woods can be used for agricultural utensils but they are not suitable for heavy construction.