Rubberwood
Hevea brasiliensis • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly interlocked with a coarse, even texture; features distinct pore patterns that appear as small dark flecks or streaks.
Color Description
Light blonde to medium tan heartwood, often with pinkish or yellowish hues; sapwood is not clearly demarcated from heartwood. Tends to darken slightly to a more golden brown with age.
Hardness Rating
935 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; susceptible to fungal decay and insect attack if not treated with preservatives shortly after harvesting.
Common Uses
Budget-friendly furniture, cabinetry, kitchen accessories (bowls, cutting boards), flooring, and interior millwork.
Geographic Origin
Native to Brazil (Amazon Basin), but extensively grown in plantations throughout Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Low; approximately $3.00 to $5.00 per board foot, though usually sold as finished components or laminated panels.
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively young wood (under 5 years manufactured); consistent with mass-produced turned kitchenware found in modern retail.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; used as a byproduct of the latex industry, harvested only after the tree's latex-producing cycle ends (approx. 25-30 years).
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though interlocked grain can cause some tearout; glues and finishes well but has high starch content which requires proper seasoning.
Notable Features
Often referred to as "Parawood" or "Malaysian Oak"; contains high starch levels making it attractive to powder post beetles if untreated; lacks a distinctive scent.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts most finishes well; food-safe mineral oil or beeswax is recommended for this specific bowl. Lacquer or polyurethane is common for furniture applications.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the uniform pale straw color, the characteristic large vascular pore streaks visible on the bowl's interior, and the specific vessel arrangement is diagnostic for Hevea brasiliensis.