Purpleheart
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Description
A purplish hardwood obtained from species in the genus Peltogyne that are native to tropical regions of Central and South America. Purpleheart or amaranth, wood has a fine, uniform texture and grain that is straight or slightly roey. The durable, shock-resistant wood is sometimes used for carving and for vehicle construction.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Peltogyne; amaranth (wood); violet wood; amarante (Fr.); amaranto (Esp.) ; pau roxo (Port.)
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Tree grows to heights of 50 m and diameter of 1 m.
- Specific gravity = 0.8-1.0 (air dry)
- Density = 60-65 ppcf
- Heartwood is dull purplish brown when cut but with exposure to air turns a deep eggplant purple; with further aging it becomes dark brown
- Grain is usually straight and texture is medium with a good natural luster
- Wood is very resistant to decay and insect attack
Additional Images
Purpleheart (Amaranth) (Peltogyne paniculata)
Working Properties
- If wood is heated with dull tools, or if cutter speeds are too high, purpleheart will exude a gummy resin that can clog tools and complicate the machining process
- Depending on the grain orientation, it can be difficult to plane without tearout.
Resources and Citations
- The Wood Database: Purpleheart
- Gordon Hanlon, contributed information, 1998
- Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
- F. H. Titmuss, Commercial Timbers of the World, The Technical Press Ltd., London, 1965