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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Peltogyne venosa Trade Name Purpleheart Family Name Leguminosae Common Names Amarante, Amaranth, Amaratante, Barabu, Bois pourpre, Bois voilet, Daba, Dastan, Ellongrypho, Guaraburajado, Guarabú, Koroboreli, Koroborezi, Kuruburelli, Lastan, Malako, Maraka, Mor ado, Morado, Nazareno, Palo morado, Pau roxo, Pau violeta, Pelo morado, Purperhart, Purpleheart, Saka, Sakavalli, Sapater, Tananeo, Violet, Violet wood, Violetwood, Zapatero Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boat building: planking, Bobbins, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical containers, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Filter press plates, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Handles: general, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Marquetry, Mathematical instruments, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Office furniture, Paneling, Piling, Railroad ties, Shade rollers, Skis, Sporting Goods, Tables, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Walking sticks, Wheel spokes Environmental Profile Vulnerable Status within its natural growth range has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview Timber produced by about 20 species including, P. venosa , which grow in Central America and tropical South America, from Mexico to southern Brazil are collectively referred to by the trade name Purpleheart. They are most common in the Amazon basin, and are also found in Colombia, Guyana, Surinam, and Venezuela. Heartwood Color Brown Black Red Purple Dark brown Brown The heartwood is initially dull brown, but it rapidly changes to a bright, vibrant purple. Prolonged exposure darkens the wood to a dark-purplish brown or dark brown, but the original color is easily restored by recutting to expose new wood. Color variation between boards is moderate to high. Presence of minerals in some boards may cause uneven coloration and steaming is reported to affect the color. Peltogyne timbers are reported to vary widely in color between, and probably within species Sapwood Color White Brown Green/Grey Yellow Well defined White to yellow Pinkish Off-white Creamy white Clearly differentiated from the heartwood The color has also been described as pinkish cinnamon with light brown streaks, and is usually about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide Grain Figure Straight Stripe (figure) Interlocked Even Closed Distinct (figure) Other (figure) Wavy Straight Striped figure Interlocked Wavy Other figure Generally straight, but not always Distinct figure The grain is typically straight, sometimes wavy, roey, or irregular. Texture Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Luster Medium Lustrous Slightly lustrous Pronounced Medium to high Natural Durability Durable Very durable Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to powder post beetles Moderately durable Resistant to marine borers Resistant to powder post beetles Very durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Durable Very resistant to dry-wood termite attack Slightly resistant to attack by marine borers Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Highly resistant to attack by decay fungi The wood is resistant to chemicals such as acids. Odor Has an odor No specific smell or taste Toxicity Some toxic effects Kiln Schedules UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 Dry at a slow speed Drying (speed) is fast Drying Defects Discoloration Slight twist/warp Slight end splitting Slight surface checking No cupping, generally Moderate spring/bow Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Reconditioning Treatement Moderate Difficult Variable results. Difficulty in air-drying varies from easy to moderately difficult, and drying rate range from slow to fairly rapid. Moisture extraction from center of thicker stock is rather difficult Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Mature Purpleheart trees are usually tall and attain a height of about 100 to 150 feet (30 to 45 m), and a diameter of up to 48 inches (120 cm), usually between 18 and 36 inches (45 and 90 cm). Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber production from this species is regular. The material is exported at a low but regular rate. Supplies are ample, but the wood is fairly expensive. It costs more than mahogany but less than teak. Although it has not found wide demand, Purpleheart is available on the US market in both the lumber and veneer forms. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Treatment against ultra-violet fading has been suggested since the wood turns gray-brown upon exposure to sunlight. A treatment with Armorall, the car finish product, under lacquer is reported to maintain the original color well Working the wood with dull cutting tools may cause gum exudation Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is severe Blunting is rated as moderate to severe Cutting tools may be gummed up if they are not very sharp Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Moderate to fairly difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Tools usually require frequent sharpening. Slow feed rates and specially tipped cutters are suggested. Gluing Easy to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Small Medium Dimensionally stable Nailing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Possible if prebored Pre-boring recommended Holds nails well Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy to plane Respond poorly to ordinary tools Moderately difficult to work in most machining operations Ease of planing is moderate Working with dull cutters may cause the wood to heat up and exude resin which can considerably increase machining difficulty. Slower feed rates and specially tipped cutters, or sharp, high-speed steel knives are suggested. A reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees has also been recommended, especially when planing and moulding material with interlocked or wavy grain. Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable sapwood Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is extremely resistant Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Responds Readily Easy to Work Moderate working qualities Easy to machine Response to hand tools is fair Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good sanding finish Easy to sand The material is fairly difficult to sand Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Good results Easy to turn Veneering Qualities No steaming needed during bolt preparation. Good gluing qualities Easy to cut Suitable for slicing Steam Bending Fairly well defined Polishing Fair to Good Results Surface Preparation Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Good results Polishing properties are rather good Staining Finish is generally good Takes finishes rather well There is a tendency for some finishes to bleed, but reports indicate that water-based finishes hold color better. The use of spirit finishes are reported to remove the purple coloring in the wood. Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength = high Max. crushing strength = very high Hardness (side grain) = hard Bending strength (MOR) = very high Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Weight = very heavy Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = very small