Blue Mahoe
Talipariti elatum • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly interlocked with a fine to medium texture. The sample shows a quarter-sawn face with clear vertical striping of growth rings and distinct color banding.
Color Description
Characterized by unique blue, gray, and purple streaks against an olive to metallic brown background. Heartwood is famously colorful; sapwood is pale yellow. Colors tend to darken and mellow into a more uniform brownish/gray with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,100 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Excellent resistance to decay and insects, performing well even in humid conditions.
Common Uses
Musical instruments (especially guitars and flutes), fine furniture, cabinetry, turned objects, and high-end carvings.
Geographic Origin
Native to Jamaica and Cuba; also grown in other parts of the Caribbean and southern Florida.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$40.00 - $65.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
Modern sample, likely less than 5 years old based on the fresh milling marks and sharp edges, though the tree itself was likely 20-40 years old at harvest.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List. It is the national tree of Jamaica and is generally well-managed, though local availability varies.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Planes and sands well, though interlocked grain can occasionally cause minor tearout. Responds beautifully to sharpening tools.
Notable Features
Famous for being one of the few woods in the world with a natural blue or blue-gray hue. It has a high luster and can produce a metallic finish when polished.
Finish Recommendations
A clear, UV-inhibiting finish (like a high-grade polyurethane or marine varnish) is highly recommended to preserve the unique blue and purple highlights as long as possible.
Identification Confidence
High. The distinctive blue-grey streaking combined with the fibrous texture and olive-brown underlying tone is unique to Blue Mahoe.