Purpleheart trees belong to the Fabaceae family’s Peltogyne genus, which includes 23 species of blooming medium to very big plants. These tropical rainforest trees, which are native to Central and South America, are most frequently found in the rainforests of Brazil, Suriname, and Guyana. They can also be found in Panama, Costa Rica, Trinidad, and the Mexican state of Guerrero. These trees can reach remarkable heights of 30 to 50 meters (100–170 feet) and trunk diameters of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet). Purpleheart trees are well-known for their tiny, five-petaled blossoms and their single-seeded, pod-shaped fruit. Most Purpleheart trees that are currently in existenceThe Amazon Basin is home to the bulk of all purpleheart trees that are now in existence. The Amazon Basin is home to all of life on Earth.
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The strength, density, and durability of purpleheart wood’s timber structure are some of its distinguishing features. Because of its strength, purpleheart is arguably one of the densest and strongest trees on the market. Its inherent hardness and natural oils, however, can wear down processing machinery by dulling saw edges and clogging drilling and cutting tools with its resin. Despite that deliberate inconvenience, Purplewood is one of the most exotic trees from Central and South America because to its remarkable strength and beauty.
Peltogyne purpurea, also referred to as purpleheart or nazareno, is the most widely used species in the Peltogyne genus and is distinguished by its dark-striped, brilliant purple heartwood. In order to prevent overexploitation, purpleheart trees are currently not grown for commercial purposes, and their harvest is governed by law in Costa Rica and Panama. Purpleheart is not on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as of 2017.
What is Purpleheart Wood
The Peltogyne genus, which includes 23 species of big trees that grow naturally between Mexico and Brazil, is the source of purpleheart, a wood that is exceptionally strong and resilient. Its remarkable grain pattern and distinctive hue, which are uncommon in other wood kinds, are its most well-known features.
Many nations have implemented strict regulations for the cutting and processing of this advantageous kind of lumber, which is so strong that it can be used for demanding industrial construction tasks like scaffolding, paneling, and flooring in places that are frequently subjected to high levels of physical stress (like the floors of heavy cargo trucks), because of the characteristics of this lumber that have led to an increase in lumber exploitation.
Greyish-purple hardwood makes up the interior structure of purpleheart wood, which gradually turns violet purple and then deep purple over time. The presence of ultraviolet radiation, which alter the wood’s top layer, is intimately linked to this alteration. Sanding or applying an anti-UV coating to purpleheart wood can lessen this color shift. High natural shine and straight grain provide for a beautiful appearance, but they might present problems while drilling and cutting.
The temperature of the instruments during processing and plane cutting are two of the biggest problems that arise when drilling and cutting purpleheart. Wood is likely to show a tear-out phenomenon during plane cutting, which will destroy the cut. Even more concerning, because purpleheart is so dense and powerful, it will heat up the cutting tools, which will then melt the interior resin and contaminate the tools, leading to clogging and other problems. Long-term purpleheart cutting requires routine tool cleaning.
Nevertheless, even if woodworking problems are resolved, the outcome is regarded as remarkable. Because of its strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal, purpleheart lumber is highly valued worldwide and is a great option for paneling, flooring, sturdy furniture (such as tabletops or tables), artwork, and a wide range of specialty wood products. Purpleheart is well regarded for industrial use in addition to regular outdoor or household applications. It is readily available as structural components for large structures, industrial flooring, boats, arches, and columns.
Origin
Known by more than 50 local names, such as Purpleheart, Amaranth, Amarante, Guarabu, Koroboreli, Morado, Palo Morado, Pau Roxo, Purperhart, Tanzania, Violetwood, Sacka, Sackaballi, and Dabam, this exotic wood is native to central and southern America and is most readily found in countries like Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, French Guiana, Guyana, Mexico, and Venezuela.
A single species of purpleheart wood, Peltogyne mexicana, is found in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Purpleheart is a tropical wood that is most frequently found in the Amazon rainforest and tropical regions of Central America.
Qualities
- Tree Size: 100-170 ft (30-50 m) tall
- Trunk Diameter – 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m)
- Janka Hardness – 2,520 lbf (11,190 N)
- Average Dried Weight – 56 lbs/ft3 (905 kg/m3)
- Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC) – .76, .90
- 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
- Odor – Changes due to species. Most are odorless, while some can exhibit a mild aromatic scent.
- Workability – Mid to hard, with unique problems that arise with the presence of heat in cutting tools. That heat releases strong gummy resin that can easily clog up cutting tools if left unchecked. Grain orientation can also cause tear-outs during cutting. Since the purpleheart heartwood is dense and strong, it can easily dull cutting edges. Nailing requires pre-drilling. It can be glued well, and polishing is also easy.
- Texture – Medium and regular texture with a good level of natural luster.
- Grain – Straight and nice-looking grain, rarely irregular or with waves.
- Sustainability – Very common in tropical regions of Brazil, South, and Central America, with some countries forbidding commercial exploitation. Not listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
- Required growth density – No particular growth requirements.
- Drying – It can dry rapidly when assisted, but air drying is slow and can introduce some cases of surface checking, case hardening, and small movement.
- Durability – Highly durable and resistant to physical damage, but with sapwood susceptible to insect attacks. This type of wood is not best suited for use in water. Lumber usually does not easily accept preservative treatments.
- Maintenance – Low
Usse
Purpleheart is one of the most unusual and well-regarded wood varieties in the present commercial lumber market because of its extraordinary strength, resilience, and aesthetic appeal. Purpleheart is still in high demand despite its continued high cost, which has increased as a result of increased government monitoring of commercial extraction.
The following are the most typical applications for purpleheart wood:
- Bridge building
- Load-bearing columns
- Heavy outdoor construction work
- Dock works
- Boatbuilding
- Cladding
- Vats
- Indoor and outdoor decoration
- Stairways
- Turning
- Musical Instruments
- Furniture
- Tool handles
- Inlay
- Marquetry
- Decorative veneers
- Flooring
- Paneling
- Luxury coffins
- General carpentry
- Various specialty wood items
Types
There are 24 recognized species of flowering plants in the genus Peltogyne:
- Peltogyne altissima Ducke
- Peltogyne angustiflora Ducke
- Peltogyne campestris Ducke
- Peltogyne catingae Ducke
- Peltogyne confertiflora (Hayne) Benth.
- Peltogyne discolor Vogel
- Peltogyne excelsa Ducke
- Peltogyne floribunda (Kunth) Pittier
- Peltogyne gracilipes Ducke
- Peltogyne heterophylla M.F.Silva
- Peltogyne lecointei Ducke
- Peltogyne maranhensis Ducke
- Peltogyne mattosiana Rizzini
- Peltogyne mexicana Martinez
- Peltogyne paniculata Benth.
- Peltogyne paradoxa Ducke
- Peltogyne parvifolia Benth.
- Peltogyne pauciflora Benth.
- Peltogyne prancei M.F.Silva
- Peltogyne purpurea Pittier
- Peltogyne recifensis Ducke
- Peltogyne subsessilis W.A.Rodrigues
- Peltogyne venosa (M.Vahl) Benth
