Latin Name: Peltogyne spp.

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae - the Legume family

Other Common Name(s): Amarante, Amaranth, Coracy, Guarabu', Koroboreli, Morado, Nazareno, Palo Morado, Pau Ferro, Pau Roxo, Pelo Morado, Purperhart, Saka, Sakavalli, Tananeo, Violetwood

Imported Hardwood

Suitable for Exterior/Interior Use
Interior and Exterior

Uses
Flooring, Millwork, Mouldings, Furniture, Boat Building, Inlays/Accent Pieces, Musical Instruments, Doors

Distribution
Purpleheart grows from Sao Paulo in Brazil to Trinidad and Panama.

General Description: The sapwood, which is usually 2 to 4" wide in a mature tree, is usually a whitish to cinnamon-pink color. The sapwood may contain light brown streaks. The heartwood is a dull brown when cut, but turns a bright purple color upon exposure to light and air. Extended exposure will cause the heartwood to become a purplish-brown to almost black color. To slow or minimize this color shift, use a UV-inhibiting finish. While the grain is typically straight it can be wavy, ropey, and irregular. The texture is medium to fine. With good resistance to rot and insects, Purpleheart is considered extremely durable.

Price Range ($ least expensive, $$$$$ most expensive):
$$$

Working Properties
Machining: Fair
Nailing: Good
Gluing: Good
Screwing: Good
Finishing: Good

Physical Properties
Weight (lbs/BF): 4.583
Specific Gravity: 0.67-0.91
Modulus of Rupture (psi): 13,690-19,220
Modulus of Elasticity (1,000 psi): 2,000-2,270
Side Hardness (lbs): 1860

Additional Information
Tooling needs to be very sharp when working with Purpleheart, if not likely hood of gum being exuded increases. The gum not only sticks to the tooling but will cause it to become blunt. Pre-boring for nailing and screwing is recommended. In its native lands Purpleheart is often used for structural purposes, but in the United States is it usually used in visual and decorative applications dues to its cost. In 18th and 19th century Europe, Purpleheart was so highly valued it was also known as “royal wood” and “kingwood.”

Item Availability
4/4 FAS
8/4 FAS