Amarante
Scientific name: Peltogyne venosa
Overview
Amarante is a tropical hardwood native to the rainforests of northern South America, particularly Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. It belongs to the Peltogyne genus, a group of hardwoods commonly known as Purpleheart. Like its close relatives, freshly cut Amarante appears grayish-brown or dull brown before transforming into a rich purple after exposure to air and ultraviolet light. The wood is prized for its exceptional durability, high strength, and striking natural color, making it a favorite for fine furniture, flooring, decorative veneers, specialty woodworking, and luxury architectural projects.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Amarante
- Scientific Name: Peltogyne venosa
- Region: South American Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 100–130 ft (30–40 m) tall, 2–4 ft (0.6–1.2 m) trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 56 lbs/ft³ (900 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: Approximately 2,520 lbf
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Fine to medium
Identification Characteristics
Amarante is best known for its dramatic color transformation. Freshly milled wood typically begins as a grayish-brown or muted brown before oxidizing into shades of violet, deep purple, and eventually dark purplish-brown with prolonged exposure. Sapwood is pale cream to light yellow and distinctly separated from the heartwood. The grain is generally straight but may occasionally be interlocked, while the texture is fine to medium with a moderate natural luster.
Key identification traits include:
- Brown heartwood that turns vivid purple after exposure
- Cream to pale yellow sapwood
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Fine to medium texture
- Moderate natural luster
- Excellent natural durability
Working Properties
Amarante is a dense hardwood that machines well with sharp carbide tooling, although its hardness can dull cutting edges over time. Interlocked grain may occasionally produce tear-out during planing. The wood turns exceptionally well, glues satisfactorily with proper surface preparation, and finishes to a beautiful natural sheen that highlights its distinctive purple coloration.
- Machines well with carbide tools
- May dull cutters because of its density
- Turns exceptionally well
- Interlocked grain may produce tear-out
- Gluing is generally good with proper preparation
- Finishes to a smooth, lustrous surface
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Some woodworkers have reported mild allergic reactions after repeated exposure to Purpleheart species. Appropriate dust collection and personal protective equipment should always be used.
Common Uses
Thanks to its remarkable purple coloration, exceptional hardness, outstanding durability, and excellent wear resistance, Amarante is used for numerous woodworking applications, including:
- Fine furniture
- Cabinetry
- Premium flooring
- Decorative veneer
- Turned objects
- Knife handles
- Inlays
- Musical instruments
- Architectural millwork
- Heavy construction
Sustainability & Notes
Amarante is harvested from tropical forests throughout northern South America and is one of several species marketed under the Purpleheart trade name. Because multiple Peltogyne species enter commercial trade, lumber is often sold simply as Purpleheart rather than by individual botanical name. Responsible forestry practices and legal harvesting remain essential for protecting tropical forests and ensuring sustainable supplies of these highly valued hardwoods.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Purpleheart – The best-known commercial member of the Peltogyne genus, prized for the same vibrant purple heartwood and exceptional durability.
Nazareno – Another naturally purple South American hardwood, although generally darker and belonging to an entirely different botanical family.
Jatobá – A similarly dense South American hardwood offering outstanding durability but lacking the distinctive purple coloration.
Related Guides
Purpleheart Species Guide – Explore the different Peltogyne species and learn how they compare in appearance, density, and woodworking performance.
Preserving Color in Purpleheart & Padauk – Learn techniques to slow natural color changes and help maintain the vibrant purple appearance.
Color Changes in Tropical Hardwoods Over Time – Discover why many exotic hardwoods change color after exposure to light and oxygen.
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
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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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