Exotic Hardwood: A Rare and Beautiful Addition for Home Decor

More and more people are looking for exotic hardwoods for their flooring needs, this is because some exotic woods have a rare beauty unlike many other types of wood. Many of them have a richness and warmth that is simply unparalleled, as well as unique markings and lines. On top of their exquisite beauty, many exotic hardwoods are incredibly dense, making some of them very resistant to termites and resilient to water. However, it’s always a good idea to keep water away from wood flooring. Here are a few valued exotics on the market...

Different Types of Exotic Hardwoods:

African Mahogany – This term refers to wood from the trees of the African genus Khaya (closely related to Swietenia), whereas the term “mahoganies” generally refers to the wood yielded by the genera Swietenia, Khaya and Entandrophragma. Typically, Mahogany is easy to work with and reddish in color.

Afromosia – Since this wood so closely resembles teak in appearance, it is occasionally referred to as African teak. This West African wood, like many exotic hardwoods, is very dense, making it extremely durable and particularly resistant to termites. The only complaint about this wood is that is contains tannin, which causes blue stains with objects it comes in contact with. Also, if you plan on working with Afromosia, be sure to wear protective eye gear, because the sawdust can irritate the eyes.

Afzelia Burl – This wood is found mainly in the coastal regions of Africa but also in Southeast Asia. It is sometimes referred to as “Pod Mahogany.” The heartwood of Afzelia is similar to Mahogany in that it is reddish in color, while the sapwood is very light. This is an endangered species of tree due to its overuse.

Amboyna Burl – This is the burl that comes from the narra tree – a tree found mainly in the South Pacific. There are over seventy known species of this large tree, which grows as high as over 80 feet, and boasts a diameter of up to six feet. The burls contain red, black, and gold areas, and Amboyna is prized for its beautiful and unique coloring. It is so prized that it often sells for $20.00 a pound, pricing a board foot at over $100.00!

Anigre – This wood, sometimes spelled “anegre” and “aniegre,” is a hardwood native to Africa. Its lustrous, light brown heartwood typically has a straight grain, occasionally with a wavy appearance running through it. It has a cedar-like scent. Normally, this wood is used for cabinets and furniture.

Anjico – This wood can have rich grain tones, but it is a very rare South American wood, making it very hard to find.

Avodire – Like many exotic hardwoods, this is a strong wood, yet lightweight. It grows on the coastal regions of Africa. This golden colored wood has a luster when polished, and the sapwood and heartwood are close in color. It was named after Anton Turra, an eighteenth century botanist, and also goes by the terms “African white mahogany” and “African stainwood.” This is not as durable as many other exotic hardwoods, and is relatively susceptible to termites.

Bahia - *See Brazilian Rosewood.

Black Limba – This West African wood has rich variations in color, ranging from different browns to black, and sometimes streaks of orange can be seen. It is easy to work with.

Black Palm – Palm trees have a soft core, and because of this, the lumber comes in short planks.

Blackbean – Named for the tree’s pod-fruit, this Australian hardwood is highly durable. Its coloring runs from attractive olives to chocolate-brown to black, and it can be quite lustrous. It’s also known as beantree, yuba, Moreton Bay bean, and Moreton Bay chestnut.

Blackwood – This term refers to hardwood trees that yield dark wood. *See African Blackwood.

Bloodwood – This is a durable, resistant wood with coloring ranging from red to deep brown. Bloodwood grows in Brazil and is also referred to as “Muirapiranga,” “Satine Rubane,” and “Cardinal Wood.” Blue Gum – The color of the heartwood of blue gum ranges from brown to deep red, while the sapwood is lighter. It grows in Australia and is very hard and moderately durable.

Bocote – The wood from this tree is valued for its different brown hues and its lustrous shine. Like Cocobolo, Bocote is also very dense and durable. This exotic wood is found throughout South America and Mexico. Like many exotics, the Bocote planks are generally available in lengths under six feet.

Brazilian Cherry – This is a very popular hardwood, admired for its beautiful deep-red to deep brown coloring and its high durability. Also referred to as "Jatoba," see our article, Brazilian Cherry Flooring, for more information.

Brazilian Rosewood – This wood, sometimes referred to as “Palisander,” “Bahia,” “Jacaranda,” and “Rio,” gets its name from the rose-like scent it gives off. It is a valuable wood that is not only hard and durable, but also quite attractive and smooth. The color of the heartwood varies from different browns to red to violet, and has irregular black streaks.

Brazilian Teak/ Cumaru – This South American wood ranges from tan to reddish brown to brown in color and sometimes offers a black stripe in the wood. It is very dense, making it quite durable.

Canary/Putumuju – This Brazilian wood is typically pinkish orange and sometimes has striping.

Chakte-kok –The coloring of this lightweight wood can easily fade from an attractive red to a muddy orange or yellow-brown. It grows in the areas from Southern Mexico to Southern Brazil. Also known as "Gateado," "Dominican mahogany," "Cuban mahogany," and "Jamaica mahogany."

Cocobolo – This extremely rare tropical rosewood, also known as Dalbergia Retusa, belongs to the Papilionaceae family and comes from sub-canopy mid-sized tree found in the rainforest. The sapwood surrounding the heartwood is just as dense as the heartwood, and it is actually the unique, poorly formed limbs of the Cocobolo that yield the most highly prized wood. Due to its rarity, this wood is very hard to find. It ranges from a gorgeous brick red to a rich, dark brown. Not only is this wood beautiful and rare, but it is so dense that is does not even absorb water, as opposed to many other hardwoods, but it is still valued for its beauty over its durability. And is most often used for parquet floors.

Cuban Mahogany - *See Chakte-kok.

Dominican Mahogany - *See Chakte-kok.

Gateado - *See Chakte-kok.

Jacaranda - *See Brazilian Rosewood.

Jamaica Mahogany - *See Chakte-kok.

Jatoba – *See Brazilian Cherry.

Palisander – *See Brazilian Rosewood.

Rio - *See Brazilian Rosewood.

Santos Mahogany – This is rich and dark colored wood ranges from having yellow-orange-brown overtones to dark brown. It grows in South America and Mexico and is superior to genuine mahogany because of its hardness and color fastness.

Tasmanian Eucalyptus Burl – This burl comes from three different Australian Eucalyptus tree varieties. This are sometimes referred to as “Tasmanian Oak,” but it is not an Oak. It got thit title when settlers mistook this strong wood for Oak. Other Tasmanian Species include musk burl, Huon Pine, white top or (Gum vein burl), and leatherwood burl.

White Limba – Like Black Limba, this wood is easy to work with. The coloring varies from light yellow-brown to straw. It is sometimes referred to as Kornia.

Exotic woods offer a unique decorative look, and can be quite pricey, so if you can’t afford to install exotic hardwood in your home, then consider buying an exotic vase or other decorative item to enjoy. And if you can afford it, you’ve just made a lasting investment in your home and the beauty therein.

For more information about hardwood floors or related products, choose from one of the following links:

Wood Flooring | Hardwood Flooring