Bois de Rose
Scientific name: Dalbergia maritima
Overview
Bois de Rose is one of the world’s most beautiful and sought-after rosewoods, native exclusively to the island of Madagascar. Renowned for its vivid pinkish-red to deep reddish-purple heartwood, exceptional figure, and fine texture, the species has long been prized for luxury furniture, musical instruments, decorative veneers, and fine woodworking. Due to extensive overharvesting and strict international trade regulations, genuine Bois de Rose has become extremely rare in the commercial timber market, making it one of the most collectible hardwoods in the world.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Bois de Rose
- Scientific Name: Dalbergia maritima
- Region: African Hardwoods (Madagascar)
- Tree Size: 40–65 ft tall, 1–2 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 61 lbs/ft³ (980 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: Approximately 2,790 lbf
- Color: Pinkish red to deep reddish purple with dark streaks
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Fine and even
Identification Characteristics
Bois de Rose is immediately recognized by its striking reddish-purple heartwood, which often contains darker violet, black, or brown streaking. Freshly cut wood displays brilliant pink and crimson tones that gradually deepen with age. Its fine, uniform texture and natural luster produce an exceptionally luxurious appearance unlike almost any other hardwood.
Key identification traits include:
- Pinkish-red to deep reddish-purple heartwood
- Dark violet or black streaking
- Fine and even texture
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- High natural luster
- Extremely dense and heavy wood
Working Properties
Despite its exceptional density, Bois de Rose machines well when sharp tools are used. The wood turns beautifully, carves cleanly, and produces an exceptionally smooth polished surface. Natural oils may slightly affect gluing, but finishing results are outstanding.
- Machines well with sharp tools
- Turns exceptionally well
- Excellent for carving and fine detail work
- Polishes to an outstanding natural luster
- Natural oils may require careful surface preparation before gluing
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation, and some individuals may experience allergic reactions when working with rosewoods. Appropriate dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended during machining.
Common Uses
Because of its extraordinary beauty, rarity, and exceptional finishing qualities, Bois de Rose is reserved primarily for the highest-end decorative woodworking applications, including:
- Luxury furniture
- Decorative veneer
- Musical instruments
- Fine cabinetry
- Knife scales
- Woodturning
- Inlay work
- Collectors’ items
Sustainability & Notes
Bois de Rose is one of the most heavily protected hardwood species in the world. Native only to Madagascar, decades of illegal logging and habitat loss have severely reduced natural populations. International trade is regulated under CITES, and legally sourced material is extremely limited. Most newly available lumber originates from reclaimed stock, old inventories, or government-authorized releases, making verified provenance especially important.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Brazilian Rosewood – Another legendary rosewood prized for its beauty, tonal qualities, and strict international protection.
Kingwood – A dense Dalbergia species featuring striking purple and dark brown striping with excellent turning properties.
African Blackwood – An exceptionally dense African relative valued for fine musical instruments and precision woodworking.
Related Guides
Rosewoods of the World – Explore the diversity, characteristics, and conservation status of rosewood species from around the globe.
Understanding CITES & Protected Species – Learn why certain hardwoods are internationally protected and how trade regulations affect collectors and woodworkers.
Why Some Species Become Restricted – Discover the environmental, economic, and conservation factors that lead to restrictions on valuable timber 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
Bois de Rose is considered one of the crown jewels of any exotic wood collection. Its remarkable coloration, outstanding figure, extreme rarity, and strict legal protections have made it one of the world’s most desirable collector species. A properly documented sample represents not only one of the finest members of the Dalbergia genus but also serves as an important reminder of the need for responsible forestry, legal sourcing, and long-term conservation of the world’s most valuable hardwoods.
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Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
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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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