Angelim da Mata
Scientific name: Hymenolobium excelsum
Overview
Angelim da Mata is a large tropical hardwood native to northern South America and the Amazon Basin. Hymenolobium excelsum belongs to the Fabaceae family and occurs in countries including Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, and the Guianas.
The heartwood generally ranges from yellowish brown and golden brown to medium reddish brown, sometimes developing darker streaks with age. Sapwood is considerably paler and normally distinguishable from the mature heartwood. Grain is typically straight to interlocked, while texture ranges from medium to coarse.
Angelim da Mata produces strong, moderately heavy to heavy timber suitable for structural work, flooring, furniture, interior and exterior joinery, decking, and general construction. Although less familiar internationally than several major Amazonian hardwoods, it represents another important timber-producing member of the diverse Hymenolobium genus.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Angelim da Mata
- Alternate Common Names: Angelim-da-Mata, Angelim
- Scientific Name: Hymenolobium excelsum
- Region: South American Woods
- Tree Size: Approximately 80–130 ft (24–40 m) tall, with large mature trees capable of developing substantial trunks
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 45–55 lbs/ft³ (720–880 kg/m³), with natural variation
- Janka Hardness: Reliable standardized species-specific values are not consistently documented
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Angelim da Mata generally produces yellowish-brown, golden-brown, or medium reddish-brown heartwood. Older surfaces can deepen toward richer brown tones as the wood ages and is exposed to light.
Sapwood is generally cream to pale yellow and contrasts with mature heartwood.
Grain can be straight but frequently becomes interlocked or irregular. Quarter-sawn material may therefore display subtle ribbon-like figure. Texture is generally medium to coarse, giving the wood a more pronounced appearance than fine-textured tropical species.
Key identification traits include:
- Golden to reddish-brown heartwood
- Pale cream to yellowish sapwood
- Noticeable heartwood and sapwood contrast
- Straight to interlocked grain
- Medium to coarse texture
- Potential ribbon-like figure
- Moderate natural luster
Working Properties
Angelim da Mata can require moderate effort to machine because of its density and potentially interlocked grain.
Sharp cutting tools are recommended. Reversing fibers can produce tear-out during planing, particularly on quarter-sawn or irregularly grained material.
The wood generally sands and finishes effectively once properly surfaced. Pre-drilling is advisable when installing fasteners into harder material.
- Moderate cutting resistance
- Sharp tools are recommended
- Interlocked grain can cause tear-out
- Turns reasonably well
- Sands effectively
- Accepts clear finishes well
- Pre-drilling is advisable for fasteners
Safety Note
Detailed species-specific information concerning reactions to Angelim da Mata wood dust is limited. Dust produced during machining of tropical hardwoods may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation.
Effective dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during sawing, routing, turning, and sanding.
Common Uses
Its strength, density, durability, and general woodworking characteristics make Angelim da Mata suitable for applications including:
- Heavy construction
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Decking
- Interior joinery
- Exterior joinery
- Beams
- Structural components
- General carpentry
- Utility woodworking
Sustainability & Notes
Angelim da Mata occurs within the tropical forests of northern South America, including portions of the Amazon Basin. These forests contain extraordinary biological diversity and provide globally significant ecological services.
As with other Amazonian timbers, sustainability depends heavily on geographic origin and harvesting practices. Legal forest management, traceability, reduced-impact logging, and maintenance of forest regeneration are important considerations.
The commercial name Angelim is particularly important to treat carefully because it is applied to multiple South American timber species belonging to different genera. Scientific identification should therefore accompany wood whenever possible.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Angelim Pedra – Another Hymenolobium timber with similar regional trade-name usage, providing the strongest direct botanical comparison with Angelim da Mata.
Angelim Vermelho – A heavy Amazonian construction timber sold under the Angelim name but belonging to a different genus, illustrating the potential confusion created by regional trade names.
Mandioqueira – Another Amazonian hardwood used for construction and general woodworking, providing a useful comparison in grain, density, coloration, and practical applications.
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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
Angelim da Mata is particularly useful in a documented collection because the broad commercial name Angelim can create considerable identification confusion in the timber trade.
A specimen positively identified as Hymenolobium excelsum therefore has substantially greater educational value than one labeled simply “Angelim.”
Collector specimens should retain the scientific name, country or geographic origin, acquisition date, supplier or donor, and any supporting identification or sourcing information.
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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
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