Dalbergia cearensis
Specifications
Family
Fabaceae
Species
Dalbergia cearensis Ducke
brazilian kingwood
violetwood
Description
It is cream in color, with black and purple veins.
Plant morphology
It is a deciduous tree 15 to 20 m tall with a broad, open crown and pinnate leaves and trunks 30 to 40 cm in diameter. It flowers in the winter months with the arrival of the rainy season.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Brazil: Bahia, Ceara, Paraiba, Pernambuco, Piaui.
Habitat and ecology
It is a typical species of the caatinga, an arid-loving plant formation exclusive to Brazil characterized by trees with leathery leaves or even none at all for a good part of the year and which turn green only in winter with the arrival of the rains.
Uses
Application areas
Widely used in the furniture industry and for turned parts.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
The conservation of this species is closely linked to the conservation of its habitat: the caatinga. This is threatened by various factors, such as agricultural expansion (particularly related to the cultivation of sugarcane, cotton, and soybeans), grazing (which has been linked to soil compaction, the invasion of exotic species, and changes in vegetation structure), and the direct harvesting of tree species for both luxury furniture production and charcoal production.
Conservation measures
It is necessary to implement habitat conservation measures and regulate the collection and trade of this species. The species is currently listed in Appendix II of CITES.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
NT - Near threatened - Close to threat
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2018
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2018
Appendix II
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Fine
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
1045
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
69
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
93
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
131
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Very durable
Insect resistance
Resistant