Machaerium scleroxylon
Specifications
Family
Fabaceae
Species
Machaerium scleroxylon Tul.
bolivian rosewood
santos rosewood
Description
It has a light sapwood and a reddish heartwood, often variegated with darker streaks. The texture is fine and the grain is varied; its density ranges from 0.75 to 0.95, and despite its hardness, it is easy to work. Its mechanical strength is good, as is its durability.
Plant morphology
It is a tree with an erect trunk, up to 30 meters tall, covered with brown bark that peels. The leaves are alternate, compound, and composed of numerous leaflets, pubescent on the underside. The flowers are borne in large inflorescences, white in color, and have a zygomorphic corolla. The fruit is a woody samara.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela.
Habitat and ecology
Widespread in semi-deciduous forests on dry, well-drained soils, it does not tolerate water stagnation and flooding.
Uses
Application areas
Used for furniture and interior decoration.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
The conservation of its habitat is threatened by deforestation and conversion to agricultural and urban areas.
Conservation measures
It is present in some protected areas, while it is not found in seed banks.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
LC - Least Concern - Low Risk
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2010
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2010
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Fine
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
865
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
28
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
67
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
122
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
10860
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Very durable
Insect resistance
Not resistant