Acapulco Rosewood
Scientific name: Pterocarpus acapulcensis
Overview
Acapulco Rosewood is a tropical hardwood native to Mexico and portions of Central America. Despite its common name, it is not a true rosewood of the Dalbergia genus. Instead, Pterocarpus acapulcensis belongs to the Fabaceae family and the same genus as padauk, narra, and several other reddish tropical hardwoods.
The wood typically displays warm reddish-brown to deeper brown heartwood surrounded by lighter sapwood. Grain can range from straight to interlocked, while the texture is generally medium to moderately coarse. Acapulco Rosewood is considerably less familiar in international woodworking markets than the major commercial Pterocarpus species, making reliably identified material particularly interesting for specialty woodworking and wood collections.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Acapulco Rosewood
- Scientific Name: Pterocarpus acapulcensis
- Region: Central American Hardwoods
- Tree Size: Medium to large tropical tree; dimensions vary considerably with habitat and growing conditions
- Average Dried Weight: Reliable species-specific value not widely documented
- Janka Hardness: Reliable species-specific value not widely documented
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Medium to moderately coarse
Identification Characteristics
Acapulco Rosewood generally produces reddish-brown to deeper brown heartwood, sometimes displaying darker streaking or variations in color. The sapwood is considerably paler and normally contrasts with the mature heartwood.
Grain may be straight or interlocked. Interlocked sections can create attractive figure when boards are quarter-sawn, while finished surfaces may develop a moderate natural luster.
Key identification traits include:
- Reddish-brown to deeper brown heartwood
- Paler contrasting sapwood
- Straight to interlocked grain
- Medium to moderately coarse texture
- Occasional darker streaking
- Potential ribbon figure on quarter-sawn surfaces
- Moderate natural luster
Working Properties
Acapulco Rosewood should generally respond well to normal woodworking operations when sharp cutting tools are used. Interlocked grain may produce tear-out during planing and surfacing, particularly where grain direction reverses.
The wood can be sanded and polished to an attractive surface. Pre-drilling may be advisable for screws and nails near board edges, especially when working with denser material.
- Machines reasonably well with sharp tools
- Turns and shapes effectively
- Sands to a smooth surface
- Polishes attractively
- Interlocked grain may produce tear-out
- Pre-drilling may be advisable
- Sharp cutting edges improve surface quality
Safety Note
Wood dust from Pterocarpus species may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Appropriate dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during cutting, machining, and sanding.
Common Uses
Although Acapulco Rosewood is not a major internationally traded timber, its attractive coloration and grain make it suitable for decorative and general woodworking applications, including:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior joinery
- Turned objects
- Carvings
- Decorative woodworking
- Small boxes
- Craft items
- Specialty projects
- Wood collections
Sustainability & Notes
Acapulco Rosewood occurs naturally in Mexico and portions of Central America, where it forms part of tropical and seasonally dry forest ecosystems. These forests can experience pressure from land conversion, agricultural expansion, fire, and localized timber harvesting.
Because Pterocarpus acapulcensis is not one of the world’s major standardized commercial timbers, specifically identified lumber may have limited documentation when it reaches specialty markets. Verified botanical identity and geographic provenance are therefore particularly valuable.
The common name can also create confusion. Despite being called Acapulco Rosewood, the species is a Pterocarpus rather than a true Dalbergia rosewood. Maintaining the scientific name with collector specimens and lumber records helps prevent misidentification.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Sangre – Another tropical American Pterocarpus producing reddish-colored wood and providing a useful comparison within the genus.
Dragon’s Blood Tree – A tropical American Pterocarpus associated with wetter forest environments and another useful example of the genus in the Americas.
African Padauk – One of the best-known commercial Pterocarpus woods, recognized for its vivid orange-red heartwood and extensive use in decorative woodworking.
Related Guides
Pterocarpus Species Guide – Explore the Pterocarpus genus and compare padauk, narra, and lesser-known tropical American members of this diverse group.
Preventing Tear-Out in Interlocked Grain – Learn techniques for obtaining cleaner surfaces when machining woods with reversing or interlocked grain.
Building a Documented Wood Collection – Learn why scientific identification, geographic origin, acquisition information, and provenance are especially important when collecting obscure woods.
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
Acapulco Rosewood is an especially interesting collector species because its common name illustrates one of the recurring challenges in wood identification: a trade or regional name does not necessarily indicate botanical relationship.
Although called a rosewood, Pterocarpus acapulcensis is not a member of Dalbergia, the genus containing the true rosewoods. Displaying a documented Acapulco Rosewood specimen alongside Sangre, Dragon’s Blood Tree, African Padauk, and true Dalbergia rosewoods creates an excellent educational comparison.
For collector specimens, retaining the scientific name and geographic provenance is strongly recommended.
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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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