Discover the Cirad Xylothèque: a selection of tropical woods

With an original collection, initiated from 600 images of digitized wood samples and their metadata extracted from the Atlas of Tropical Woods book, NumBA offer to internet users a part of the Cirad Xylotheque in digital version. . This enrichment allows NumBA to contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge and knowledge on the properties of wood.

The digitized samples were chosen from the 34,000 contained in the CIRAD Xylothèque, representing 8,400 species, 2,160 genera and 235 botanical families. They appears under the shape of plates of 13cm x 6cm x 1cm cut on slab, on quarter, or on false quarter.

A major research, expertise and training tool, this xylotheque is a unique scientific heritage with specimens from 123 countries. As early as 1937, explorers, forest experts, botanists, wood enthusiasts collected samples in the tropical and Mediterranean regions of the former French overseas empire. Today, the expanse of overseas France still offers a large field of discovery.

This collection features forest species that are 85% from Africa, Asia and South America. The temperate or Mediterranean species represent the complement.

The Xylothèque constitutes a reference tool for the identification of pieces of wood for multiple purposes, among others for justice, culture, history and archeology. She is also the source of numerous scientific publications, reference books and training materials in the field of wood anatomy.

In the field of architecture, the construction of the forecourt of the National Library of France in Ipé is an emblematic example of the use of the knowledge gathered in the Cirad Xylothèque. By choosing Ipé for its remarkable properties, CIRAD's wood experts have enhanced a hitherto unrecognized resource and allowed its development in France and around the world while ensuring its sustainable use.

With this collection, intended to grow over the course of digitization projects and campaigns, NumBA unveils, in open and free access, a set of specific resources for a specialized, informed or curious public.