Table 3 Plant part and wood characteristics of the species used as a
From: Plants for making wooden bowls and related traditional knowledge in the Gyirong Valley, Tibet, China
Scientific name (Family) | Use parts | Wood characteristics | Special purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
Betula utilis D. Don (Betulaceae) | Stem and burl | The wood does not crack and firmly colored. And the pattern of wood is the most beautiful. Bowls made from this wood are the smoothest | Bowls made of burl are called “cha-bo-luo” meaning they can last a lifetime; “cha-bo-luo” bowls are considered the best dowry and betrothal gifts, cherished carefully look after by their recipients |
Himalayacalamus falconeri (Hook.f. ex Munro) Keng f. (Poaceae) | Stalk base | The wood is rare | – |
Juniperus tibetica Kom. (Cupressaceae) | Burl | This wood must have burls, and wood without burls cannot be used for bowls. And the wood should not be too dry, the wooden bowl made of too dry wood will crack | – |
Larix potaninii var. himalaica (W. C. Cheng & L. K. Fu) Farjon & Silba (Pinaceae) | Burl | This wood must have burls, and wood without burls cannot be used for bowls | – |
Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (Pinaceae) | Burl | This wood must have burls, and wood without burls cannot be used for bowls | – |
Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jacks. (Pinaceae) | Burl | This wood must have burls, and wood without burls cannot be used for bowls | – |
Quercus semecarpifolia Sm. (Fagaceae) | Stem and burl | The wood is too hard and easily crack | – |
Rhododendron arboreum Sm. (Ericaceae) | Stem and burl | The wood is easily deform over time | – |
Salix trichocarpa C. F. Fang (Salicaceae) | Burl | This wood must have burls, and wood without burls cannot be used for bowls | – |