Limba

Limba (Terminalia superba)

Common Name(s): Limba, Black Limba, White Limba, Korina, Afara

Scientific Name: Terminalia superba

Distribution: Tropical western Africa

Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 5-7 ft (1.5-2.2 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 34 lbs/ft³ (540 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .43

Hardness: 610 lb_f (2,710 N)

Rupture Strength: 12,650 lb_f/in² (87,240 kPa)

Elastic Strength: 1,480,000 lb_f/in² (10,207 MPa)

Crushing Strength: 6,200 lb_f/in² (42.7 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 4.5%, Tangential: 6.2%, Volumetric: 10.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.4

Color/Appearance: No data available.

Grain/Pore: No data available.

Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; medium-large pores in no specific arrangement; solitary and commonly in radial multiples of 2-3; tyloses and other heartwood deposits common; growth rings may be indistinct or distinct due to seemingly marginal bands of parenchyma; very thin rays not visible without lens; parenchyma banded, paratracheal parenchyma vasicentric, and aliform (winged).

Durability: No data available.

Workability: No data available.

Scent: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.

Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Limba has been reported to cause skin irritation and respiratory irritation, as well hives, asthma-like symptoms, and bleeding of the nose and gums. Splinters also tend to become infected and take longer than usual to heal. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.