Anatomical, physical and chemical properties of Sepestan wood (Cordia myxa L.) in Iranshahr region

Cordia (Sepestan in Persian) species (Cordia myxa L.) is in the borage family (Boraginaceae) and it is growing with geographical distribution in the moderate and tropical regions of Iran such as near the Persian Gulf, especiallyin Bandar Abbas and some places in Kerman and Sistan and Baluchestan region but its anatomical characteristics have not been studied yet. In this study, some of the anatomical, chemical and physical properties of Sepestan wood in Iranshahr region in Sistan and Baluchestan Province were measured. Anatomical studies showed that this species has average diameter vessels, simple vascular perforation plate and intervessel pits alternate. Its ray xylems type is heterogeneous and contains abundant crystals. The wood tissue is parenchyma with abundant prismatic crystals and in the cross-section parenchyma was observed in gregarious and continuous formation. Average length, overall diameter, lumen diameter and wall thickness of the fibers were measured 1329, 33.5, 21.7 and 5.9 microns respectively. Also investigation of chemical characteristics showed that Sepestan wood has average cellulose 34.75, lignin 20.6, extractives soluble in acetone 7.88 and also 8.9 percent ash. The results also showed that the specific gravity of the wood is 0.4 and maximum volumetric swelling and shrinkage were 10.98 and 12.34 percent respectively.