Araribá Amarelo
Scientific name: Centrolobium robustum
Overview
Araribá Amarelo is a tropical hardwood native to Brazil and other portions of eastern South America. A close relative of Araribá Rosa, this species is valued for its attractive golden to yellowish-brown heartwood, good mechanical strength, and dependable working properties. Although it is not commonly encountered outside its native range, Araribá Amarelo has been used for quality furniture, cabinetry, flooring, architectural millwork, and interior construction. Its pleasing appearance, durability, and limited commercial availability also make it an appealing addition to exotic wood collections.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Araribá Amarelo
- Scientific Name: Centrolobium robustum
- Region: South American Hardwoods (Brazil)
- Tree Size: 80–120 ft (24–37 m) tall, 2–4 ft (0.6–1.2 m) trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 46 lbs/ft³ (740 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: Approximately 1,580 lbf
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium
Identification Characteristics
Araribá Amarelo develops a heartwood that ranges from golden yellow and honey brown to yellowish brown, gradually deepening with age and exposure to light. The sapwood is pale cream to light yellow and is usually well defined from the heartwood. The grain is generally straight, although occasional interlocked grain may produce attractive ribbon figure on quarter-sawn surfaces. With its medium texture and moderate natural luster, the wood finishes to an elegant appearance suitable for both decorative and structural applications.
Key identification traits include:
- Golden yellow to honey-brown heartwood
- Pale cream to yellow sapwood
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Medium texture
- Moderate natural luster
- Occasional ribbon figure on quarter-sawn boards
Working Properties
Araribá Amarelo machines well using both hand and power tools. Straight-grained material cuts cleanly, while slight interlocking may require lighter passes during planing to minimize tear-out. The wood glues, turns, sands, and finishes well, producing smooth surfaces that readily accept oils, stains, and clear finishes.
- Machines well with sharp tools
- Turns well
- Glues reliably
- Sands to an excellent finish
- Accepts oils, stains, and clear finishes well
- Minor tear-out may occur in figured grain
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Appropriate dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended during machining.
Common Uses
Thanks to its attractive appearance, dependable strength, good dimensional stability, and reliable machining characteristics, Araribá Amarelo is used for numerous woodworking applications, including:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Flooring
- Architectural millwork
- Interior joinery
- Decorative veneer
- Woodturning
- Carvings
- Boat interiors
- Specialty woodworking
Sustainability & Notes
Araribá Amarelo is native primarily to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest and surrounding tropical regions. While the species has historically been harvested for domestic woodworking and limited export, continued habitat conservation and responsible forestry practices are important to ensure sustainable populations. Well-managed forests help preserve both this valuable hardwood and the remarkable biodiversity of South America’s tropical ecosystems.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Araribá Rosa – A closely related species with similar working characteristics but generally displaying pinkish to reddish-brown heartwood.
Jatobá – A significantly harder South American hardwood often selected for heavy-duty flooring and structural applications.
Peroba Rosa – Another attractive Brazilian hardwood valued for its strength, stability, and furniture-making qualities.
Related Guides
Wood Families & Trade Groups – Learn how hardwood species are organized into botanical families and how those relationships can help identify similar woods.
Best Woods for Furniture Making – Discover how this species compares with other hardwoods commonly used in fine furniture and cabinetry.
Machining Dense Tropical Hardwoods – Learn techniques for reducing tear-out, tool wear, and burning when working with tropical hardwoods.
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
Araribá Amarelo is a desirable collector species because it represents one of the lesser-known hardwoods of the Centrolobium genus. Its warm golden coloration, attractive grain, and relatively limited availability outside South America make it a distinctive addition to an exotic wood collection. A well-documented sample helps showcase the diversity of Brazilian hardwoods beyond the more widely recognized commercial species.
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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.
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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