Muirapiranga
Scientific name: Brosimum paraense
Overview
Muirapiranga is the vivid red Amazonian hardwood now accepted as Brosimum rubescens; Brosimum paraense is a synonym still widespread in timber literature. The deep coral-red to reddish-brown heartwood, often streaked darker, contrasts strongly with pale sapwood. Exceptional density, hardness, durability, and fine texture suit luxury furniture, flooring, decorative veneer, turning, carving, and musical-instrument components.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Muirapiranga
- Scientific Name: Brosimum paraense (accepted as Brosimum rubescens by some modern taxonomic sources)
- Region: Central & South America
- Tree Size: Approximately 98–164 ft (30–50 m) tall
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 59–69 lb/ft³ (950–1,110 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: Approximately 2,024 lbf (918 kgf)
- Color: Bright red to deep reddish brown
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium-fine and even
Identification Characteristics
The heartwood is bright coral red when fresh and matures toward deep red or reddish brown, sometimes with darker streaks. Wide cream to pale-brown sapwood is sharply demarcated. Grain is straight to slightly interlocked, texture medium to fine, and luster low to moderate. The strong color can darken with age and light exposure.
Key identification traits include:
- Bright red to reddish-brown heartwood
- Strong contrast with pale sapwood
- Occasional darker streaks
- Medium to fine texture
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Very heavy and hard
Working Properties
Muirapiranga is moderately difficult to saw and plane because of its density and moderate blunting effect. Sharp carbide tools, reduced feed rates, and pre-boring are recommended. It turns and carves well, glues satisfactorily, and takes an excellent polish. Thermal conditioning may improve sliced-veneer production.
- Moderately difficult to saw
- Can blunt cutting edges
- Planing may be difficult
- Pre-bore before nailing or screwing
- Good gluing properties
- Turns and polishes well
Safety Note
Species-specific reaction data are limited, but dense tropical-wood dust can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory tract. Use effective extraction, eye protection, and a fitted respirator. Splinters from the hard wood can be sharp.
Common Uses
Its red color, durability, strength, and fine texture support uses including:
- Luxury furniture and cabinetry
- Flooring and stairs
- Decorative veneer and marquetry
- Turning and carving
- Musical-instrument components and bows
- Heavy interior joinery
- Decorative objects
Sustainability & Notes
Plants of the World Online accepts Brosimum rubescens and treats B. paraense as a synonym. Global sources report Least Concern, while Colombia lists the species as Near Threatened nationally. It is not confirmed as CITES-listed. High commercial value and Amazonian harvest make traceable legal origin and responsible forest management essential.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Snakewood – A related Brosimum timber distinguished by dramatic snakeskin figure and very high density.
Bloodwood – Another vivid red South American hardwood used for decorative work and turning.
Purpleheart – A dense, strongly colored tropical hardwood used for many of the same decorative applications.
Related Guides
Wood Families & Trade Groups – Understand botanical relationships and the limits of common trade names.
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern – Review practical visual features used in preliminary identification.
Identifying Unknown Wood Samples – Learn why provenance and anatomical evidence matter when similar woods share a name.
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
Muirapiranga is prized by collectors for saturated red heartwood, dramatic sapwood contrast, and exceptional density. A labeled sample should record Brosimum rubescens as the accepted name and B. paraense as a synonym, preserving the link to older catalogs.
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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.
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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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