Porosity: diffuse porous
Arrangement: solitary and radial multiples
Vessels: medium to large, few to moderately numerous; reddish brown deposits occasionally present
Parenchyma: vasicentric, lozenge, confluent, and banded (marginal)
Rays: medium to wide; normal to fairly close spacing
Lookalikes/Substitutes: Streaked pieces of curupay bear a remarkable resemblance to goncalo alves (Astronium graveolens)—and both woods are used for hardwood flooring. Curupay tends to have wider, more conspicuous rays, as well as more extensive parenchyma (lozenge, confluent, and marginal). Tyloses are also commonly seen in the pores of goncalo alves, while they are lacking in curupay.
Notes: There are two primary species yielding curupay, Anadenanthera colubrina and A. peregrina. Although they are mostly indistinguishable on the basis of anatomy, a limited study found that A. colubrina heartwood was UV fluorescent, while A. peregrina was not.
Following up from my previous comment, I made these out of Curupay for one of my neighbours. Hand carving the stuff wasn’t too bad after all
I made this candle holder for my wife out of Curupay, Cherry (legs) and Wenge (bottom support). It is a beautiful wood and very hard. I used some leftover to make a mallet.
Hi Eric, I have a curupay mystery. I’ve turned two bowls and a platter in this wood, and I can attest to its challenges. The results, though are really satisfying. This wood takes an incredible polish and can be machined almost like metal for fine details. Of the four blanks I have (all from reliable sources), two are fairly light in color and two are very dark. Could they be from two different species? Photos of two of them are attached.
I had to try this stuff when we got in a fresh lift a few months back at work. Got a wonderful quartersawn board and turned it into a few wooden swords for martial arts practice. The board I got finished to a beautiful dark brown/almost black with some nice streaks running through.
Tough as nails and incredibly hard to carve by hand, but I’m real happy with the result.
Way back when I grow up in the 60s, there was one tree from Paraguay and Argentina called “Petiribi also Loro” they where using it for furniture and also flooring, can anybody recall that, or perhaps know the real name. Thanks
Curupay (or Curupau, as we call it) is among my personal favourite timbers. It is great choice for wooden flooring for those who are after exotic timber floor. The dark streaks gives an unique character of the wood. It is also among the hardest and most durable wooden flooring options.
I have hundreds of pictures of turned bowls on my wed site. You’re welcome to use any of them as long as I receive credit for photos used and photos are link to my web site https://www.nelsonwood.com.
Thanks
Bryan