Leopards-wood (Lacewood)
Roupala montana • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Quarter-sawn with prominent medullary ray flakes creating a broad 'lace' or 'leopard' figure; texture is coarse and open with interlocked grain.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium reddish-brown with lighter tan or silvery rays; sapwood is yellowish-white. It exhibits high chatoyance and typically darkens slightly with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,215 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to decay and rot, though primarily used for indoor high-end applications like furniture and veneer.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, decorative veneers, musical instruments (guitars), turned objects, and knife handles.
Geographic Origin
Central and South America (predominantly Brazil and surrounding regions).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 to $25.00 per board foot for premium quarter-sawn stock.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled/Recent; light color and lack of deep oxidation or handling patina suggest the sample is relatively new stock.
Sustainability Status
Not currently CITES listed or on the IUCN Red List; generally considered sustainable but availability varies. 100% FSC certified stock is sometimes available.
Workability
Challenging due to significant density differences between the soft rays and hard surrounding grain; prone to tear-out during planing and requires very sharp tools; glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive large-flecked figure caused by huge medullary rays; sawdust can be a skin/respiratory irritant for some woodworkers; lacks a characteristic scent.
Finish Recommendations
Deep-penetrating oils or clear lacquer to highlight chatoyance; film-building finishes like polyurethane provide durability but should be applied in thin coats to avoid clogging the open grain.
Identification Confidence
High; the broad, leopard-like ray flake pattern and reddish-brown base color are diagnostic of quarter-sawn Roupala montana (Lacewood).