Lecointe’s Purpleheart
Scientific name: Peltogyne lecointei
Overview
Lecointe’s Purpleheart is a rare tropical hardwood native to the Amazon rainforests of northern Brazil and French Guiana. A member of the Fabaceae family, it belongs to the Peltogyne genus, a remarkable group of hardwoods renowned for their dramatic color transformation. Freshly cut heartwood appears grayish-brown before oxidizing into the vivid violet and deep purple hues that have made Purpleheart one of the world’s most recognizable exotic hardwoods.
Named in honor of French botanist Paul Henri Lecomte (often rendered as “Lecointe” in the species epithet), this species shares the exceptional strength, durability, and beauty found throughout the genus. Although it is rarely identified separately in commercial lumber markets, Lecointe’s Purpleheart is highly prized by collectors, researchers, and fine woodworkers for its striking appearance and excellent working characteristics.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Lecointe’s Purpleheart
- Scientific Name: Peltogyne lecointei
- Region: South American Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 80–120 ft (24–37 m) tall, 2–4 ft (0.6–1.2 m) trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 57 lbs/ft³ (915 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: Approximately 2,520 lbf
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Fine to medium
Identification Characteristics
Freshly cut heartwood is initially grayish-brown to olive-brown before rapidly oxidizing into brilliant violet and deep purple shades after exposure to air. Over time, prolonged ultraviolet exposure gradually darkens the vibrant purple to a rich brownish-purple. The sapwood remains pale cream to yellowish-white and is sharply defined from the heartwood. Grain is generally straight but may occasionally display slight interlocking, while the texture is fine to medium with a moderate natural luster.
Key identification traits include:
- Fresh heartwood initially grayish-brown
- Develops vivid violet to deep purple coloration after oxidation
- Pale cream to yellowish-white sapwood
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Fine to medium texture
- Moderate natural luster
- Excellent natural durability
Working Properties
Lecointe’s Purpleheart machines similarly to other members of the Peltogyne genus. The wood is dense and requires sharp carbide tooling for best results. Slightly interlocked grain may occasionally cause tear-out during planing, but turning, sanding, and polishing generally produce outstanding results. UV-resistant finishes help preserve the wood’s distinctive purple coloration.
- Machines well with carbide tooling
- Moderately difficult due to density
- Interlocked grain may produce minor tear-out
- Turns exceptionally well
- Excellent polishing characteristics
- Glues well with proper surface preparation
- Produces a beautiful finished surface
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Repeated exposure may occasionally produce allergic skin reactions. Proper dust collection, respiratory protection, and eye protection are recommended whenever machining or sanding this species.
Common Uses
Thanks to its striking purple coloration, outstanding durability, and excellent strength, Lecointe’s Purpleheart is used for a variety of premium woodworking applications, including:
- Fine furniture
- Cabinetry
- Architectural millwork
- Flooring
- Decorative veneers
- Turned objects
- Knife handles
- Musical instruments
- Inlays
- Collector wood specimens
Sustainability & Notes
Lecointe’s Purpleheart grows within the biologically diverse Amazon rainforest, one of the world’s most important tropical ecosystems. While this species is not commonly harvested independently from other Purpleheart species, sustainable forestry practices remain essential to preserving both the species and its native habitat.
Most commercial Purpleheart lumber is marketed collectively rather than by individual botanical species, making authenticated specimens of Peltogyne lecointei relatively uncommon.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Purpleheart – The most commercially important member of the genus and the standard against which other Purpleheart species are commonly compared.
Dense-Flowered Purpleheart – A closely related Brazilian species with similar physical properties and dramatic purple heartwood.
Recife Purpleheart – Another uncommon Brazilian Purpleheart with a restricted natural range and similar color transformation.
Related Guides
Preserving Color in Purpleheart & Padauk – Learn how oxidation and ultraviolet light affect Purpleheart and how proper finishing helps preserve its vivid color.
Finishing Oils vs. Polyurethane on Exotic Species – Compare finishing systems that protect exotic hardwoods while enhancing their natural beauty.
Building a Documented Wood Collection – Discover best practices for documenting and preserving rare wood specimens.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Lecointe’s Purpleheart is an outstanding specimen for collectors building a comprehensive Peltogyne collection. Because most Purpleheart lumber enters the marketplace without species-level identification, verified samples of Peltogyne lecointei are relatively uncommon. Recording the scientific name, origin, supplier, and acquisition date helps maintain the historical and scientific value of the collection. When displayed alongside Purpleheart, Dense-Flowered Purpleheart, Recife Purpleheart, and Mexican Purpleheart, it showcases the diversity found within this remarkable genus.
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When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
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