Araribá Rosa
Scientific name: Centrolobium tomentosum
Overview
Araribá Rosa is a beautiful tropical hardwood native to Brazil and neighboring regions of South America. Belonging to the legume family (Fabaceae), it is prized for its attractive pinkish to reddish-brown heartwood, excellent strength, and good working properties. Although less well known internationally than many South American hardwoods, Araribá Rosa has long been used for fine furniture, flooring, cabinetry, interior millwork, and decorative woodworking. Its combination of durability, stability, and striking appearance also makes it an excellent species for exotic wood collectors.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Araribá Rosa
- Scientific Name: Centrolobium tomentosum
- Region: South American Hardwoods (Brazil)
- Tree Size: 80–130 ft (24–40 m) tall, 2–4 ft (0.6–1.2 m) trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 47 lbs/ft³ (755 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: Approximately 1,650 lbf
- Color: Pinkish brown to reddish brown, darkening with age
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium
Identification Characteristics
Araribá Rosa produces an attractive heartwood ranging from light pinkish brown to warm reddish brown that gradually darkens with age and exposure to light. The sapwood is pale cream to yellow and is usually clearly differentiated from the heartwood. Grain is generally straight but may occasionally display slight interlocking, producing subtle ribbon figure on quarter-sawn boards. The wood has a medium texture, moderate natural luster, and an elegant appearance that compares favorably with several premium South American hardwoods.
Key identification traits include:
- Pinkish brown to reddish-brown heartwood
- Pale cream to yellow sapwood
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Medium texture
- Moderate natural luster
- Attractive ribbon figure on quarter-sawn surfaces
Working Properties
Araribá Rosa machines well with both hand and power tools. The generally straight grain allows for smooth planing, although slight tear-out may occur where grain is interlocked. It turns, glues, sands, and finishes very well, producing an attractive polished surface that highlights its warm natural coloration.
- Machines well with sharp tools
- Turns and carves well
- Sands to a smooth finish
- Glues reliably
- Accepts oils, stains, and clear finishes well
- Slight tear-out possible 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, good stability, and dependable strength, Araribá Rosa is used for numerous woodworking applications, including:
- Fine furniture
- Cabinetry
- Flooring
- Interior millwork
- Architectural joinery
- Decorative veneer
- Woodturning
- Carvings
- Specialty woodworking
- Boat interiors
Sustainability & Notes
Araribá Rosa is native primarily to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest and adjacent tropical regions. While it has historically been harvested for domestic woodworking and limited export, responsible forestry practices are increasingly important because portions of its native habitat have experienced significant deforestation. Sustainable forest management helps preserve both the species and the remarkable biodiversity of South America’s tropical forests.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Araribá Amarelo – A closely related species with similar mechanical properties but generally more golden-yellow coloration.
Pau Rosa – Another attractive South American hardwood with comparable density and fine woodworking characteristics.
Peroba Rosa – Similar in appearance but generally somewhat harder and finer textured.
Related Guides
Wood Families & Trade Groups – Learn how hardwood species are organized into botanical families and how those relationships can help identify similar woods.
Machining Dense Tropical Hardwoods – Discover techniques for machining dense hardwoods while minimizing burning, tear-out, and tool wear.
Identifying Unknown Wood Samples – Explore practical methods for identifying hardwoods using grain, color, texture, and other physical characteristics.
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 Rosa is an excellent collector species due to its attractive pinkish heartwood, moderate rarity outside South America, and historical importance in Brazilian woodworking. Its warm coloration and beautiful grain provide an excellent representation of the diversity found among South American tropical hardwoods. A documented sample makes a valuable addition to any serious exotic wood collection.
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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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