Limba
Scientific name: Terminalia superba
Overview
Limba is a versatile African hardwood known for its light color, straight grain, and excellent workability. Native to West and Central Africa, it is widely used in furniture, cabinetry, interior millwork, and musical instruments.
Limba is commonly found in two visual forms: White Limba, which is pale and uniform, and Black Limba, which features dramatic dark streaking caused by mineral deposits or fungal interaction. Both forms come from the same species and share similar physical properties.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Limba
- Scientific Name: Terminalia superba
- Region: African Hardwoods (West & Central Africa)
- Tree Size: 100–160 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 32 lbs/ft³ (510 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 670 lbf
- Color: Pale yellow to light golden brown, sometimes with darker streaks
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Limba is identified by its light base color, straight grain, and relatively low weight. White Limba appears uniform and understated, while Black Limba displays bold, irregular dark streaks that can resemble spalting.
Color and figure can vary widely between boards.
Key identification traits include:
- Pale yellow to light brown heartwood
- Straight, even grain
- Open pores visible on the surface
- Occasional dramatic dark streaking in Black Limba
Working Properties
Limba is generally considered easy to work, making it popular for a wide range of applications.
- Machines and hand-tools easily
- Sands smoothly with minimal effort
- Glues and finishes well
- Accepts stains and clear finishes
- Stable when properly dried
Because of its softness, care should be taken to avoid denting during handling.
Safety Note
Dust from Limba may cause skin or respiratory irritation in some individuals. Proper dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Limba is commonly used in both functional and decorative applications, including:
- Furniture and cabinetry
- Interior millwork and paneling
- Musical instruments
- Veneer and plywood
- Lightweight construction components
Black Limba is often reserved for accent work or focal pieces due to its visual impact.
Sustainability & Notes
Limba is not currently listed under CITES restrictions and is relatively abundant compared to many African hardwoods. However, responsible sourcing remains important to ensure long-term availability.
Buyers should seek suppliers that document legal harvesting and sustainable forestry practices.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Anegre – A light-colored African hardwood often used for veneers, furniture, and interior millwork due to its smooth texture and good workability.
Okoume – A lightweight tropical hardwood widely used for veneers and marine plywood, known for its relatively straight grain and ease of machining.
African Mahogany – A slightly heavier hardwood commonly used for cabinetry and furniture, often displaying a richer reddish-brown tone than Limba.
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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
Limba is valued by collectors and woodworkers for its workability and visual range. White Limba is often favored for projects requiring a clean, uniform appearance, while Black Limba is sought after for its bold streaking and decorative potential.
Boards with balanced contrast and stable streaking are typically preferred, as excessive or uneven coloration can complicate layout and finishing. Because Black Limba figure varies widely, collectors often select boards in person when possible to control final appearance.
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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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Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
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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:
• Woodworking: The Complete Step-by-Step Manual for learning woodworking techniques, joinery, finishing, and step-by-step projects
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• Woodworking Apron for Men with 9 Tool Pockets for keeping tools organized and protecting clothing during woodworking, carving, turning, and shop work
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• XFasten Double-Sided Woodworking Tape (3-Pack) for securing templates, workpieces, and patterns during routing, CNC work, edge banding, and other woodworking tasks
https://amzn.to/4xK5yTj
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