Palo rosa hembra — Identification, Uses and Properties
Aniba rosaeodora Lauraceae
Historically used for rosewood oil production; also utilized for making canoes by indigenous Amazonian peoples.
HARDWOOD SOUTH AMERICA FURNITURE
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Aniba rosaeodora
Family
Lauraceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Pau-rosa (Brazil), Palo rosa (Peru), Brazilian rosewood (USA), Bois de rose femelle (France), Rosenholz (Germany), Red silverballi (Guyana)
Origin Region
South America
Main End Uses
Furniture · Plywood · Boatbuilding · Turned objects · Millwork · Flooring
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Golden to light reddish brown
Texture
Medium to fine
Grain
Straight to slightly interlocked
Sapwood
Light yellow
Interlocked Grain
Slightly interlocked
Notes
Heartwood ranges from golden to light reddish brown, often with an olive or greenish hue, and darkens with age. It is diffuse-porous with vessels primarily in radial multiples of 2-4. The wood features a prominent and pleasant spicy scent (rosewood oil) and a good natural luster.
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Log Description
Tree height
65 – 100 ft
Tree height
20 – 30 m
Diameter
50-80 cm
Buoyancy
Floats
Diameter
19.7-31.5 in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
730 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
45.6 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
1,460
Janka Hardness
1,460 lbf
Janka Hardness
6,494 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
12.1 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
7 %
Radial Shrinkage
4.5 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.6
Crushing Strength
70 MPa
Crushing Strength
10,153 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
130 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
18,855 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
17,000 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
2,465,642 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Very durableTermites
Very goodCITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
Appendix II
Trade Notes
The species is considered endangered due to heavy historical exploitation for rosewood oil production.
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