Anatomy and wood uses of seven tropical tree species from Mexico

The wood anatomy of Coccoloba cozumelensis Hemsl., Coccoloba spicata Lundel l, Gymnanthes lucida Sw., Blomia cupanioides Miranda, Canella winterana (L. ) Gaertn., Aspidosperma megalocalpon Muell Arg. and Ehretia tinifolia L., i s described. One tree per species was collected in the tropical rain forest of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Their wood has important traditional uses in furn iture, tools, rural buildings, posts, fences, railroads and firewood. Macro scopic and microscopic characteristics were described and measured in wood samples, permanent slides and macerated material. These species have diffus e porosity, alternate vessel pits, simple perforation plates, numerous and small rays; libriform fibres are common, as well as ergastic material in gu m forms, calcium carbonate and silica crystals. These characteristics expla in aesthetical, weigth, hardness and resistance (to mechanical and biologic al damage) characters that fit traditional use by the Maya.