Scientific name:
Phoebe porosa

Other names:
Canella imbuia
Embuia
Embuya (Brazil)

Grows mostly in the moist Araucaria forests of Parana and Santa Catharina in southern Brazil, mostly at altitudes of 2,500 to 4,000 ft; forming rather rich stands. The tree attains a maximum height of 130 ft and a trunk diameter of about 6 ft.

Weight:
Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.53; air-dry density 40 pcf.

Use:
Fine furniture and cabinet work, paneling, flooring, gunstocks, decorative veneer, and joinery.

General characteristic:
Heartwood yellowish or olive to chocolate brown, either plain or beautifully variegated and figured; sapwood is gray and usually distinct. Texture rather fine; grain is straight to curly and wavy; luster medium to rather high; spicy resinous scent and taste but losing most of it in drying.  Dust arising in working may cause dermatitis.

Working properties:
Saws and machines satisfactorily and finishes smoothly. Fine dust generated in working may cause dermatitis.

Drying and shrinkage:
The wood is reported to be easy to air-dry, however thick stock is slow to dry and may develop honeycomb and collapse.  Kiln schedule T6-D2 is suggested for 4/4 stock and T3-D1 for 8/4.  Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 2.7%; tangential 6.0%; volumetric 9.0%.

Durability:
Heartwood is reported to be resistant to attack by decay fungi.