Curupay
Scientific name: Anadenanthera colubrina
Overview
Curupay is a dense South American hardwood valued for its strength, durability, and attractive reddish-brown coloration. Native to Central and South America, it is commonly used in flooring, furniture, and heavy-duty woodworking applications.
Sometimes marketed under trade names such as “Patagonian Rosewood” or “Angico,” Curupay is not a true rosewood but is appreciated for its hardness, wear resistance, and refined appearance.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Curupay
- Scientific Name: Anadenanthera colubrina
- Region: South American Hardwoods (Central & Southern South America)
- Tree Size: 60–100 ft tall, 2–3 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 68 lbs/ft³ (1,090 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 3,840 lbf
- Color: Reddish brown to dark brown with darker streaks
- Grain: Interlocked
- Texture: Medium to fine
Identification Characteristics
Curupay is identified by its rich reddish-brown heartwood and fine to medium texture. The grain is often straight but may show interlock, with occasional subtle figure depending on the cut.
Sapwood is typically pale and clearly differentiated from the heartwood.
Key identification traits include:
- Reddish brown heartwood
- Open pore structure
- Fine to medium texture
- High density and weight
Working Properties
Curupay works well with sharp tooling but can be demanding due to its density.
- Requires sharp carbide tooling
- Interlocked grain may cause tear-out
- Sands smoothly
- Glues and finishes well
- Good dimensional stability
Its hardness and smooth finish make it suitable for both structural and decorative applications.
Safety Note
Dust from Curupay may cause skin or respiratory irritation in some individuals. Proper dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Curupay is used in a variety of demanding applications, including:
- Flooring
- Furniture and cabinetry
- Stair treads
- Tool handles
- Heavy-duty woodworking projects
Its durability makes it well suited for high-wear environments.
Sustainability & Notes
Curupay is not currently listed under CITES restrictions and remains commercially available. As with many tropical hardwoods, responsible sourcing is encouraged.
Buyers should seek suppliers that provide documentation of legal harvesting and sustainable forestry practices.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Ipe – A very dense South American hardwood widely used for decking and heavy-duty outdoor construction due to its exceptional strength and durability.
Massaranduba – A heavy, extremely durable South American hardwood that shares Curupay’s reputation for strength, hardness, and long service life.
Jatoba – A strong and durable tropical hardwood commonly used for flooring and furniture, typically lighter in color than Curupay.
Related Guides
Storing Exotic Wood Samples
Provides best practices for storing dense hardwood samples like Curupay to maintain stability and prevent cracking or moisture-related movement over time.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Understanding hardness ratings helps explain the durability and wear resistance of very dense hardwood species.
Machining Dense Tropical Hardwoods
Dense tropical hardwoods require sharp tooling and careful machining to achieve clean cuts and smooth finishes.
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
Curupay is appreciated by collectors and woodworkers for its balance of strength, stability, and refined appearance. Boards with consistent color and straight grain are typically preferred for visible applications.
Well-seasoned Curupay machines more predictably than freshly milled material. Proper storage helps maintain surface quality and minimize checking in dense boards.
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When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
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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Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
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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.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
• Woodworking: The Complete Step-by-Step Manual for learning woodworking techniques, joinery, finishing, and step-by-step projects
https://amzn.to/4v1EYSZ
• Woodworking Apron for Men with 9 Tool Pockets for keeping tools organized and protecting clothing during woodworking, carving, turning, and shop work
https://amzn.to/43SZ9rt
• XFasten Double-Sided Woodworking Tape (3-Pack) for securing templates, workpieces, and patterns during routing, CNC work, edge banding, and other woodworking tasks
https://amzn.to/4xK5yTj
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