Meranti (Shorea spp)

 

Family - Dipterocarpaceae

 

Distribution - Meranti is the group name for a number of species of Shorea found in Malaysia and Indonesia.

 

Other Names: Red Meranti, Seraya merah, Shorea acuminata / leprosula / parvifolia / macoptera / ovalis / dasyphylla / lepidota / palembanica / teysmanniana / platycarpa / albida / quadrinervis / leptoclados / smithiana.

 

Characteristics: Red Meranti ( Seraya ) has a light coloured sapwood and red-brown to dark red heartwood. The texture is rather course but even, the grain interlocked and wavy. Red meranti weighs an average of 550 Kg / m3 when dried,

 

Working Qualities: The wood of the various species work well and in general are capable of a good smooth finish. Meranti can be glued, nailed and screwed satisfactorily, and can be stained and polished well after suitable filling.

 

Uses: All the merantis are suited to joinery and general construction, and also for furniture.