Exotic Wood Species Guide
Pink Ivory, Purple Heart, Zebrawood, Lyptus, and Sapele
PINK IVORY (Berchemia zeyheri)
The magnificent durability of pink ivory has demonstrated resistance to decay and weathering. Its' texture is fine with a tight and uniform grain. The beautiful colors of this species have vibrant pink shades, which include pale brownish pink, almost bright neon pink and a deep red. This tree, native to South-East Africa is commonly used in carving products, veneers, knife handles and other wood turning objects. JANKA RATING OF 2540.
PURPLE HEART (Peltogyne spp.)
The heartwood of Purple Heart is a dull grayish color. UV exposure on the wood turns the color to a deep eggplant purple and the grain is straight with a fine texture. The workability level has unique challenges: if the cutter speed is too high, Purple Heart will release a gummy resin that will clog tools or complicate the machine process. The most common uses are furniture, flooring, turning or heavy construction. Sometimes called "Amaranth", this Latin American wood species is known for being very water resistant. JANKA RATING 2390.
Purpleheart is the wood used in this pergola at Center City Park in Greensboro NC.
ZEBRAWOOD (Microberlinia brazzavillensis)
The black and brownish streaks in Zebrawood resemble the stripes of a zebra. The open pores in the grain are fairly coarse, wavy and have an interlocked texture. Its durability is strong, and has excellent rot resistance against insects. Zebrawood is popular in veneering and is mostly used in tool handles, furniture, boat building and skis. JANKA RATING OF 2097.
LYPTUS® (Eucalyptus urograndis)
Plantation grown in Brazil, the wood is very hard, heavy and strong. The color appearance of light salmon pink to dark red is similar to Black Cherry and Honduran Mahogany. Lyptus has a fast growing rate which causes the cost to be relatively reasonable. The texture has small to medium sized open pores. The grain is straight and even with few or abnormal grain patterns. JANKA RATING 1420.
SAPELE (Entandrophragma cylindricum)
This African wood species has many grain patterns including pommele, quilted, mottle wavy, beeswing, and fiddleback. The grain is interlocked and sometimes wavy, and the heartwood is medium to dark, reddish brown or a purplish brown color. Although difficult to work in machinery operations, the quartersawn appearance displays the enhancement of its' ribbon patterns. It is commonly used for veneering, flooring, musical instruments and turned objects. Occasionally, Sapele can be substituted as Genuine Mahogany and can be referred to as "Sapele Mahogany" since it comes from the mahogany family. JANKA RATING OF 1410.
Resource: "Wood Database – By Woodworkers, For Woodworkers." www.wood-database.com Images courtesy of Eric Meier
Frequently asked questions
What is the Janka rating of Pink Ivory wood?+
Pink Ivory has a Janka rating of 2540. It is known for its magnificent durability, resistance to decay and weathering, and vibrant pink to deep red coloring.
Why is Purple Heart wood difficult to machine?+
If the cutter speed is too high, Purple Heart releases a gummy resin that clogs tools and complicates the machining process. It is commonly used for furniture, flooring, turning, and heavy construction.
What does Purple Heart wood look like and how does its color change?+
The heartwood of Purple Heart starts out a dull grayish color, but UV exposure turns it to a deep eggplant purple. The grain is straight with a fine texture.
What is Zebrawood commonly used for?+
Zebrawood is popular in veneering and is mostly used in tool handles, furniture, boat building, and skis. It has strong durability and excellent rot resistance against insects.
Where is Lyptus wood grown and what does it look like?+
Lyptus is plantation grown in Brazil and features a light salmon pink to dark red color similar to Black Cherry and Honduran Mahogany. Its fast growth rate makes it relatively reasonable in cost, and it has a straight, even grain with small to medium open pores.
Can Sapele be used as a substitute for Mahogany?+
Yes, Sapele can occasionally be substituted for Genuine Mahogany and is sometimes referred to as "Sapele Mahogany" because it comes from the mahogany family. It is commonly used for veneering, flooring, musical instruments, and turned objects.