Lancewood
Scientific name: Oxandra lanceolata
Overview
Lancewood is a dense Caribbean hardwood historically valued for its strength, straight grain, and shock resistance. The name “Lancewood” comes from its traditional use in spear shafts and tool handles, where rigidity and durability were essential.
Native primarily to Jamaica and parts of the Lesser Antilles, Lancewood is not widely exported in commercial volumes. It is typically encountered in smaller stock sizes and specialty applications rather than wide furniture boards.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Lancewood
- Scientific Name: Oxandra lanceolata
- Region: Caribbean & West Indies Hardwoods (Caribbean, Central America, northern South America)
- Tree Size: 40–80 ft tall, 1–2 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 45 lbs/ft³ (720 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,200 lbf
- Color: Pale yellow to light brown, sometimes with a slight olive tone
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Fine to medium
Identification Characteristics
Heartwood is typically light to medium brown, sometimes with a subtle olive or golden cast. The grain is generally straight and uniform, contributing to its strength and predictable working properties. Texture is fine to medium, and the wood has a modest natural luster.
Key identification traits include:
- Straight, consistent grain
- Medium brown coloration
- Dense and firm feel in hand
- Smooth surface when properly finished
- Minimal figure compared to decorative tropical species
Working Properties
Lancewood machines cleanly when sharp tools are used. Its straight grain allows for predictable shaping and turning.
- Good shock resistance
- Turns smoothly
- Sands to a fine finish
- Glues adequately
- Holds detail well
Because of its density, pre-drilling is recommended for fasteners.
Safety Note
Standard hardwood dust precautions recommended. As with many tropical hardwoods, prolonged exposure to fine dust may cause irritation.
Common Uses
Lancewood common uses including:
- Tool handles
- Walking sticks
- Shafts and dowels
- Turned objects
- Small utility items
- Specialty craft components
Sustainability & Notes
Lancewood is typically harvested in limited quantities and is not a large-scale export species. Most material appears in smaller dimensional stock or specialty turning blanks.
Availability is generally regional rather than global.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Buttonwood – Often more irregular in grain due to coastal growth conditions.
West Indian Satinwood – Brighter and more decorative in tone.
West Indian Mahogany – Lighter and more commonly used in furniture applications.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Helpful for distinguishing straight-grained tropical hardwoods.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Places Lancewood in the mid-density tropical range.
Building a Documented Wood Collection
Important for archiving lesser-exported Caribbean 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
Lancewood is most commonly encountered in straight-grained turning blanks or tool-handle stock rather than wide dimensional boards. When cataloging, note the straight grain structure, medium brown coloration, and documented Caribbean origin. Specimens showing consistent density and minimal grain deviation are particularly desirable for archival and comparison purposes.
Share Your Photos of This Species
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.
Love This Species?
Enjoy learning about this wood species?
Help support the continued growth of Exotic Woods of the World by participating in our Adopt a Species program. Your support helps fund species research, educational content, photography, videos, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.
Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
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:
• 3M XtractNet Hook and Loop Sanding Disc Multi-Pack for virtually dust-free sanding and fine surface finishing
https://amzn.to/4nPgt9Z
• 3M P100 Respirator Cartridge and Filter Set for protection against dust, organic vapors, and airborne particles during woodworking and finishing
https://amzn.to/4f0z7t1
• FONAROLL Microfiber Wax Applicator Pads for applying waxes, oils, and fine wood finishes evenly across surfaces
https://amzn.to/4a9ANgn
Share This Wood Species
Stay Connected
Follow the latest species additions, educational resources, videos, conservation initiatives, and major project milestones through our Site Updates archive.
The Site Updates archive provides a permanent record of new content, library growth, and future developments across Exotic Woods of the World.