INTRODUCTION

The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of the Richetia group of Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae). Vernacular names applied include bam (Pahang), damar hitam (Peninsular Malaysia) with various epithets, meranti (Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak) with various epithets, seraya (Pahang), seraya kuning (Sabah) with various epithets and other localised names too numerous to list here. Major species include S. dolichocarpa, S. faguetiana, S. gibbosa, S. hopeifolia, S. longisperma, S. maxima and S. multiflora. The sapwood is lighter in colour and is clearly defined from the heartwood, which is lighter yellow-brown with a green tinge, darkening to deeper shades of yellow-brown or brown.

Also known as Yellow Meranti (Brunei); Dammar hitam, Dammar kelepek and Meranti kuning (Indonesia); Bam, Manggasinoro and Yellow Lauan (Philippines); and Kalo (Thailand).

DENSITY

The timber is a Light Hardwood with a density of 575-735 kg/m3 air dry.

TEXTURE

Texture is moderately coarse but even, with usually interlocked and sometimes wavy grain.

USES

The timber is suitable for general utility purpose, light construction, planking for vehicle bodies as well as ship and boat building, panelling, mouldings, partitioning, shop and office fittings, furniture, joinery, flooring, decking, staircase (angle blocks, rough bracket, apron lining, baluster, balustrade and sprandrel framing), tool handles (non impact), pallets, railway sleepers, posts, beams, joists, rafters and pencil. This timber is highly prized as a plywood species.