 | Common name (English) Purple heart – Amaranth Common name (Spanish) Nazareno Scientific name Peltogyne purpurea Family Fabaceae/Caesalpinoideae Distribution or habitat Nazareno is native to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and Panama, and also the Atlantic coast of Colombia. Description This colorful Latin American hardwood is tremendously popular for furniture and other designs that call for a unique splash of color. In addition to its coloration, Purpleheart has excellent strength properties, and can be used in applications where strength is important. Janka hardness 2520 pounds-force 11190 Newtons Average dried weight 905 kg/m3 Color and Appearance When freshly cut the heartwood of Purpleheart is a dull grayish/purplish brown. Upon exposure the wood becomes a deeper eggplant purple. With further age and exposure to UV light, the wood becomes a dark brown with a hint of purple. Workability Purpleheart wood is moderately difficult to work with hand or machine tools. Slow feed rates and hardened cutters are suggested, because purpleheart exudes a gummy resin when heated by dull tools. The wood turns smoothly, is easy to glue and takes finishes well. Durability Purpleheart is rated as being very durable, and resists both decay and most insect attacks, though it has been reported to be susceptible to attack from marine borers. Commercial availability Purpleheart is in limited supply. Not possible to supply by full container load. But offered by us in a regular basis. Export Restrictions None. |
