This work presents information about the use of wood of Sclerolobium paniculatum (var. subvelutinum and rubiginosum) at rural properties in the south of the state of Maranhão, Brazil, about the woods' anatomy and about the correlation between certain anatomical characteristics and the wood's practical use. Interviews were made with 17 farmers from this region in order to know how they use the two varieties in their properties. Regionally, the subvelutinum Benth. and rubiginosum (Mart. ex Tul. ) Benth. varieties are known as "cachamorra-preta" and "cachamorra-branca", respectively and the former is the most frequently applied, especially as fences. For the wood anatomy analyses, discs at the breast height were collected from three specimens of each variety. Next, samples were obtained from the discs core, and usual wood anatomy methodology was applied. The two varieties were statistically different (p<0,05) for six anatomical parameters. Fiber and vessel elements characteristics seem to be the most important features to explain the different use of the two varieties. It is suggested that more studies should be performed on climate variations and soil characteristics to get a better understanding about the causes of the wood anatomy quantitative differences found in this study.
wood anatomy; Sclerolobium paniculatum var. rubiginosum; Sclerolobium paniculatum var. subvelutinum; wood use
