Santos mahogany
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
At a glance
Scientific nameMyroxylon balsamum
Trade / common nameSantos mahogany
FamilyLeguminosae
RegionSouth America · Central America
Distribution
The range of this species extends over a wide area from southern Mexico southward through Central America to Argentina.
Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building: framing, Bridge construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical derivatives, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Crossties, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory flooring, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles: general, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Sporting Goods, Stools, Structural work, Sub-flooring, Tables , Tool handles, Trimming, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting, Wardrobes
Countries & Distribution
These country connections come directly from the same SQL country–species bridge used by Country Detail and the Global Navigator.
🇦🇷Argentina
historical
🇧🇿Belize
historical
🇧🇴Bolivia
historical
🇧🇷Brazil
captured
🇨🇴Colombia
captured
🇨🇷Costa Rica
historical
🇪🇨Ecuador
historical
🇸🇻El Salvador
historical
🇬🇹Guatemala
historical
🇭🇳Honduras
historical
🇲🇽Mexico
historical
🇳🇮Nicaragua
historical
🇵🇦Panama
historical
🇵🇾Paraguay
historical
🇵🇪Peru
historical
🇺🇾Uruguay
historical
Wood images
Linked historical images associated with this species record.
Santos mahogany
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
Santos mahogany
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
Projects & Inspiration
Explore possible applications, then tell Woodley what you are interested in making.
Project images are illustrative inspiration, not species-identification photographs. Suitability should be checked against the species data and project requirements.
Fine woodworkingDecorative detailsSmall crafted objects
What would you like to make?
Tell Woodley what you have in mind. Woodley can help explore whether Santos mahogany is suitable and guide the next steps.
Project guidance can build on this species record, its properties and documented uses.
Appearance
Heartwood color
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
Brown
Red
Purple
Pink
Reddish brown
Dark brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Purplish
Darkens after prolonged exposure
Color variation is moderate between boards.
Sapwood Color
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
White
Yellow
White to yellow
Well defined
Luster
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
Medium
Lustrous
Pronounced
Medium to high
Uses & Applications
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building: framing, Bridge construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical derivatives, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Crossties, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory flooring, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles: general, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Sporting Goods, Stools, Structural work, Sub-flooring, Tables , Tool handles, Trimming, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting, Wardrobes
Product Sources
The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced at a low volume. Export potential is rated as fair.
Full Technical Species Profile
The public profile includes identification, distribution, linked imagery and selected public-facing species information. Sign in to use your membership access. The complete technical record is available with an eligible paid membership.
Protected technical content includes physical and mechanical properties, working and drying characteristics, durability data, detailed technical observations, references and methodology.