Satinleaf
Scientific name: Chrysophyllum oliviforme
Overview
Satinleaf is a medium-density Caribbean hardwood known for its fine texture and subtle luster. While the tree is famous for its glossy leaves, the wood itself presents warm tan to reddish-brown coloration with occasional darker streaking.
It represents the decorative mid-weight category of Caribbean hardwoods, falling between lighter species like Gumbo-Limbo and heavier structural woods like Black Olive.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Satinleaf
- Scientific Name: Chrysophyllum oliviforme
- Region: Caribbean & West Indies Hardwoods (Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean, and Central America)
- Tree Size: 20–50 ft tall, 1–2 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 60 lbs/ft³ (960 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 2,100 lbf
- Color: Reddish brown to purplish brown, often with darker streaks
- Grain: Interlocked
- Texture: Fine to medium
Identification Characteristics
Satinleaf heartwood ranges from tan to reddish-brown with occasional darker accents. The grain is typically straight but may show mild interlocking. The surface often exhibits a soft sheen when finished, giving the wood its name.
Key identification traits include:
- Warm tan to reddish-brown tone
- Fine to medium texture
- Moderate weight
- Subtle natural luster
- Smooth surface when finished
Working Properties
Satinleaf machines reasonably well with sharp tools.
- Cuts cleanly
- Sands smoothly
- Accepts finish evenly
- Moderate resistance to wear
- Stable when properly dried
Safety Note
Standard dust precautions recommended.
Common Uses
Satinleaf common uses including:
- Decorative woodworking
- Small turned objects
- Boxes and specialty items
- Interior trim components
- Craft applications
Sustainability & Notes
Satinleaf is not widely exported as commercial lumber. Most available material appears in smaller dimensional stock or specialty blanks. Wide boards are uncommon in trade markets.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Blue Mahoe – Slightly lighter with more tonal variation.
Black Olive – Darker and coarser.
Gumbo-Limbo – Much lighter and softer.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Helps differentiate mid-tone tropical species.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Places Satinleaf among moderate-density hardwoods.
Building a Documented Wood Collection
Important for documenting less-exported regional species.
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
Satinleaf is rarely encountered in wide furniture-grade boards. Most specimens appear as smaller blanks or regional-use lumber. When cataloging, note the fine texture, moderate weight, and subtle sheen when finished. Verified Caribbean origin adds value within a structured regional hardwood archive.
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Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
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.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
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