Purpleheart
Peltogyne purpurea · Exotic/Tropical
- Type
- Exotic/Tropical
- Origin
- Central and South America (ranging from Mexico down through Brazil)
- Hardness
- 2,520 lbf (Extremely Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable, with exceptional resistance to decay, rot, and most insect attacks
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Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a medium to fine uniform texture
Color & Appearance
Freshly cut wood is a dull brown, but upon exposure to UV light and air, it rapidly oxidizes to a vibrant, deep eggplant purple; over long periods of time and heavy sun exposure, it eventually turns a dark brown with a hint of purple
Hardness (Janka)
2,520 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable, with exceptional resistance to decay, rot, and most insect attacks
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $10.00 to $18.00 per board foot
- Wood Age Estimate
- Relatively fresh stock or recently milled blanks, showing early stages of purple oxidation
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on the CITES appendices or IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, though selective logging in native forests applies
Common Uses
Fine furniture, heavy-duty flooring, turnings, boat building, cabinetry, high-end woodworking accents, and inlay work
Geographic Origin
Central and South America (ranging from Mexico down through Brazil)
Workability
Challenging due to extreme hardness; tends to dull cutting edges quickly and can bleed a gummy resin when heated by dull blades; glues and finishes well despite density
Finish Recommendations
Takes a high natural polish; finishes well with lacquer, varnish, or penetrating oils, though UV-inhibiting finishes help preserve the vibrant purple color longer
Notable Features
Contains a resin that turns deep purple upon UV exposure; extremely dense and heavy with natural oils; can be brittle under high stress
