Purpleheart

Scientific Name: Peltogyne pubescens

Family: Caesalpiniaceae    

Distribution: The center of distribution is the north middle part of the Brazilian Amazon region, but the combined range of all species is from Mexico through Central America and southward to southern Brazil.

Other Names: Amaranth, Nazareno, Pau Roxo, Bois Violet, Barabou.

Wood Description: Grain is generally straight, sometimes wavy or interlocked.  Moderate to fine texture.

Sapwood: Whitish or cream color.

Heartwood: Dull brown when freshly cut, it rapidly oxidizes to violet-purple on exposure to light, gradually toning down in the course of time to a dark-purplish brown.

Processing: Dries well and fairly rapidly with little degrade. Not difficult to work. Saws, planes and turns well, finishing smoothly. It takes glue well and holds nails and screws satisfactorily. Gives good results when lacquered or polished.

Durability: Highly resistant to decay, termites and fire. Heartwood is very durable and extremely resistant to preservative treatment, but the sapwood is permeable.

Common Uses: Possesses high strength and very good durability and is an excellent structural timber suitable for heavy outdoor construction work such as bridges, dock work and park benches. As flooring it has high wearing qualities and is suitable for most conditions of traffic. Has been used successfully in chemical plants for vats, filter press plates and frames. Also used for making billiard cue butts, tool handles, interior and exterior joinery.