Purpleheart
Captured from current WPhistorical species datasheet.
At a glance
Scientific namePeltogyne paniculata
Trade / common namePurpleheart
FamilyLeguminosae
RegionThe name Purpleheart is the trade of timber produced by about 20 species in the genus Peltogyne, including P. paniculata, which are found in Central America and tropical South America, from Mexico to southern Brazil. They are most common in the Amazon basin, and also grow in Colombia, Guyana, Surinam, and Venezuela
Distribution
The name Purpleheart is the trade of timber produced by about 20 species in the genus Peltogyne, including P. paniculata, which are found in Central America and tropical South America, from Mexico to southern Brazil. They are most common in the Amazon basin, and also grow in Colombia, Guyana, Surinam, and Venezuela
Uses
Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Construction, Decks, Decorative veneer, Dining-room furniture, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Door, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Harbor work, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Marquetry, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piling, Poles, Railroad ties, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Skis, Sporting Goods, Stair rails, Stairworks, Structural work, Tables , Tables, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative, Walking sticks, Wharf construction, Wheel spokes, Wheels
Countries & Distribution
These country connections come directly from the same SQL country–species bridge used by Country Detail and the Global Navigator.
Wood images
Linked historical images associated with this species record.
Projects & Inspiration
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Project images are illustrative inspiration, not species-identification photographs. Suitability should be checked against the species data and project requirements.
Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Construction, Decks, Decorative veneer, Dining-room furniture, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Door, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Harbor work, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Marquetry, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piling, Poles, Railroad ties, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Skis, Sporting Goods, Stair rails, Stairworks, Structural work, Tables , Tables, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative, Walking sticks, Wharf construction, Wheel spokes, Wheels
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Project guidance can build on this species record, its properties and documented uses.
Appearance
Heartwood color
Brown
Black
Green/grey
Yellow
Red
Orange
Purple
Dark brown
Brown
Greenish to greyish
Red
The heartwood is dull-brown when freshly cut, but it changes rapidly to the vivid and well known purple color. Prolonged exposure to ultra-violet rays of the sun tones down the color to a medium or dark purple-brown. Recutting is reported to restore the wood to its original color
Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
White to yellow
Well defined
Pale red when freshly cut, but ages to a rich red color
Not always clearly differentiated from the heartwood
Different than heartwood
Becomes bright red, coral pink with dark streaks, purplish-brown, or black with age
It is usually about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide in the mature tree
Luster
Lustrous
Dull
Pronounced
Medium
Uses & Applications
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Construction, Decks, Decorative veneer, Dining-room furniture, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Door, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Harbor work, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Marquetry, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piling, Poles, Railroad ties, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Skis, Sporting Goods, Stair rails, Stairworks, Structural work, Tables , Tables, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative, Walking sticks, Wharf construction, Wheel spokes, Wheels
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.
Limited quantities of Purpleheart in long lengths and wide boards are available on the European market at prices that are comparable to those of medium cost hardwoods. For construction use, Purpleheart is available for shipping in the dry condition only
Full Technical Species Profile
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