Balaustre

Putumuju

Description

Canarywood

A South American tree of the genus Centrolobium that produces a colorful wood. Balaustre wood can be yellow or red with streaks of red or black. It usually has a straight grain, fine texture, and polishes to a high luster. Balaustre has been used in shipbuilding and as a veneer for cabinetry.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Centrolobium; arariba; canarywood; canary wood; porcupine wood; zebra wood, amarillo (Panama); redwood (British Guiana) ararauba, arrabi, arariba, araruva, iriba, pau rainha, putumuju (Brazil); morosimo (Paraguay); cartan (Venezuela); araribá rajado (Port.)

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Specific gravity = 0.75-1.0
• Density = 47-63 ppcf

Resources and Citations

• Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)

• Kribs, Commercial Foreign woods on the American market