Common Name(s): Rosewood
Distribution: Tropical regions worldwide (most commercial species are from Central and South America, Africa, and southern Asia)
Genus Size: Approximately 270 to 300 species
Mechanical Characteristics: Density of commercial species range from medium-high (D. tucurensis) to very high (D. melanoxylon and D. cearensis).
Visual Characteristics: Heartwood tends to be dark reddish brown colored, sometimes with darker contrasting streaks. With sharply demarcated yellowish sapwood.
Identification: Wood is diffuse porous, typically with large to very large and infrequent pores. Parenchyma tends to be rather extensive in many species, commonly diffuse in aggregates, while sometimes forming bands, as well as vasicentric and aliform patterns.
Comments: As of the beginning of 2017, all species were included on CITES appendix II as endangered species.
Related Content:
