Peltogyne angustiflora
Specifications
Family
Fabaceae
Species
Peltogyne angustiflora Ducke
purpleheart
violet wood
Description
The sapwood is whitish or slightly pinkish, clearly differentiated from the heartwood, which changes from purplish to dark brown upon exposure to air. The texture is medium, the grain varies, and the density ranges from 0.80 to 1.12. Fresh wood may have an unpleasant odor. Processing is not difficult but requires powerful machinery, which can be damaged by the rubbery substances present. The sapwood is rapidly attacked by fungi and insects, unlike the highly resistant heartwood.
Plant morphology
It is a tree up to 15-25 m tall, with a smooth trunk and diameter up to 60 cm, and smooth gray bark. The crown is spreading, with compound, leathery leaves. The inflorescences are arranged in terminal corymbs, with small yellow flowers. The fruit is a dehiscent legume with a single large brown seed.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Central America and the Amazon River Basin: Brazil, Bahia, and São Paulo.
Habitat and ecology
It is a deciduous species, ranging from heliophilous to moderately shade-loving, sometimes xerophilous. It has a wide range but is found unevenly in the higher zones of the humid Atlantic forest (Mata Atlantica) and in dense primary forest.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used for furnishings, fine furniture, floorboards, carving, inlay, cabinetmaking, billiard cues.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
The factor that most threatens the conservation of this species is habitat loss, resulting from deforestation and the conversion of portions of the Atlantic forest into urbanized and agricultural areas.
Conservation measures
It is present in some Brazilian protected areas and is included in the "Action Plan for the Conservation of Endemic Flora Threatened with Extinction" in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
NT - Near threatened - Close to threat
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2018
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2018
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Medium
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
870
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
44
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
67
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
141
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
21250
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Durable
Insect resistance
Resistant