Species
South American Species
Brazilian Walnut or Ipe' (Tabebuia Serratifolia), is an extremely dense hardwood used as an outdoor wood for decking, boardwalks, marinas, siding and flooring, and can also be used in structural components like Pergolas and bridges due to its extreme durability and strength.
Brazilian Teak or Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata) is also a dense hardwood used as an indoor and outdoor wood for decks and flooring due to its durability and warm lustrous beauty.
Brazilian Cherry or Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril) is a deep dark red rich colored hardwood used predominately for high end flooring and exotic wall coverings.
Ipé
Common Name(s): Ipe, Brazilian Walnut, Lapacho, Ironwood
Scientific Name: Handroanthus spp. (formerly placed in the Tabebuia genus)
Distribution: Tropical Americas (Central and South America)
Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 69 lbs/ft3 (1,100 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .91, 1.10
Janka Hardness: 3,510 lbf (15,620 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 25,660 lbf/in2 (177.0 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 3,200,000 lbf/in2 (22.07 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 13,600 lbf/in2 (93.8 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 5.9%, Tangential: 7.2%, Volumetric: 12.4%, T/R Ratio: 1.2
Cumaru
Common Name(s): Cumaru, Brazilian Teak
Scientific Name: Dipteryx odorata
Distribution: Northern South America
Tree Size: 130-160 ft (40-50 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 68 lbs/ft3 (1,085 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .86, 1.09
Janka Hardness: 3,330 lbf (14,800 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 25,390 lbf/in2 (175.1 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 3,237,000 lbf/in2 (22.33 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 13,850 lbf/in2 (95.5 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 5.3%, Tangential: 7.7%, Volumetric: 12.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
Jatoba
Common Name(s): Jatoba, Brazilian Cherry
Scientific Name: Hymenaea courbaril
Distribution: Central America, southern Mexico, northern South America, and the West Indies
Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 57 lbs/ft3 (910 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .77, .91
Janka Hardness: 2,690 lbf (11,950 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 22,510 lbf/in2 (155.2 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 2,745,000 lbf/in2 (18.93 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 11,780 lbf/in2 (81.2 MPa)
Purpleheart
Common Name(s): Purpleheart, Amaranth
Scientific Name: Peltogyne spp.
Distribution: Central and South America (from Mexico down to southern Brazil)
Tree Size: 100-170 ft (30-50 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 56 lbs/ft3 (905 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .76, .90
Janka Hardness: 2,520 lbf (11,190 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 22,000 lbf/in2 (151.7 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 2,937,000 lbf/in2 (20.26 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 12,140 lbf/in2 (83.7 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 3.8%, Tangential: 6.4%, Volumetric: 10.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.7
Snakewood
Common Name(s): Snakewood, Letterwood, Amourette
Scientific Name: Brosimum guianense (syn. Piratinera guianensis)
Distribution: Coastal regions of northeast South America
Tree Size: 65-80 ft (20-25 m) tall, 6-12 in (15-30 cm) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 76 lbs/ft3 (1,210 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .96, 1.21
Janka Hardness: 3,800 lbf (16,900 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 28,270 lbf/in2 (195.0 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 3,364,000 lbf/in2 (23.20 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 17,260 lbf/in2 (119.0 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 4.7%, Tangential: 6.0%, Volumetric: 10.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.3
Bloodwood
Common Name(s): Bloodwood, Satine
Scientific Name: Brosimum rubescens (syn. B. paraense)
Distribution: Tropical South America
Tree Size: 80-150 ft (25-45 m) tall, 4-7 ft (1.2-2.1 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 66 lbs/ft3 (1,050 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .90, 1.05
Janka Hardness: 2,900 lbf (12,900 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 25,290 lbf/in2 (174.4 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 3,013,000 lbf/in2 (20.78 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 14,310 lbf/in2 (98.7 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 4.6%, Tangential: 7.0%, Volumetric: 11.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
