Peteribí
Scientific name: Cordia trichotoma
Overview
Peteribí is a medium to large South American hardwood native to portions of Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. Cordia trichotoma belongs to the Boraginaceae family and is valued regionally for its attractive wood, moderate weight, good workability, and suitability for furniture and interior woodworking.
The heartwood generally ranges from golden brown and light brown to medium reddish brown, sometimes displaying darker streaks or subtle olive tones. Sapwood is considerably lighter and normally distinguishable from mature heartwood. Grain is generally straight to slightly interlocked, while texture ranges from medium to moderately coarse.
Peteribí has been used for furniture, cabinetry, veneer, doors, interior joinery, paneling, turning, and general carpentry. Its combination of attractive coloration and relatively straightforward machining makes it a useful furniture timber, while its regional importance makes it a worthwhile addition to a comprehensive South American wood collection.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Peteribí
- Alternate Common Names: Peterebi, Louro-Pardo
- Scientific Name: Cordia trichotoma
- Region: South American Woods
- Tree Size: Approximately 65–100 ft (20–30 m) tall, with trunks commonly 2–3 ft (0.6–0.9 m) in diameter under favorable conditions
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 35–40 lbs/ft³ (560–640 kg/m³), with natural variation
- Janka Hardness: Reliable standardized species-specific values vary by source and should be interpreted cautiously
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium to moderately coarse
Identification Characteristics
Peteribí generally produces golden-brown to medium-brown heartwood, sometimes developing warmer reddish-brown, olive-brown, or darker streaking as the wood ages.
Sapwood is typically cream to pale yellowish brown and contrasts with the mature heartwood. Grain is usually straight but can become slightly interlocked or irregular.
Quarter-sawn surfaces may display subtle ribbon-like figure where interlocked grain is present.
Key identification traits include:
- Golden-brown to medium-brown heartwood
- Occasional reddish or olive-brown tones
- Pale cream to yellowish-brown sapwood
- Noticeable heartwood and sapwood contrast
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Medium to moderately coarse texture
- Moderate natural luster
Working Properties
Peteribí generally has favorable woodworking characteristics and can be machined effectively with conventional hand and power tools.
Straight-grained material usually planes cleanly, while interlocked sections may require lighter cutting passes to reduce tear-out. The wood generally sands, glues, and finishes well.
- Machines well with sharp tools
- Cuts and planes readily
- Turns well
- Suitable for carving
- Sands to a smooth surface
- Glues satisfactorily
- Accepts stains, oils, and clear finishes well
Safety Note
Detailed species-specific information concerning reactions to Peteribí wood dust is limited. Dust generated during machining can cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Appropriate dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during sawing, routing, turning, carving, and sanding.
Common Uses
Peteribí’s attractive coloration, moderate density, and good workability make it suitable for numerous woodworking applications, including:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Decorative veneer
- Interior joinery
- Doors
- Paneling
- Architectural millwork
- Wood turning
- Carving
- General carpentry
Sustainability & Notes
Peteribí occurs naturally across portions of southern and central South America and has long been valued regionally as a useful timber tree.
Forest conversion, agricultural expansion, selective harvesting, and other land-use pressures can affect native populations depending on location. Responsible forest management and traceable sourcing are therefore important considerations when purchasing timber.
The species may also occur in restoration, forestry, or managed planting programs because of its timber value and native ecological role.
Material from responsibly managed forests, documented plantations, or legitimate salvage sources is preferable whenever available.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Freijo – Another South American Cordia producing attractive brown timber used for furniture, cabinetry, joinery, and decorative woodworking.
Louro Preto – A darker Cordia wood that provides a useful comparison in coloration, grain, texture, and decorative potential.
Ziricote – A dramatically figured member of the Cordia group whose dark spiderweb-like grain provides a striking contrast with the more understated appearance of Peteribí.
Related Guides
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Understanding Interlocked vs. Straight Grain
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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
Peteribí is particularly worthwhile for collectors because it represents a regionally important South American furniture wood that remains considerably less familiar internationally than many Brazilian tropical hardwoods.
Specimens displaying clear heartwood-to-sapwood transition or naturally occurring darker streaking can be especially useful for demonstrating the species’ range of coloration.
Collector specimens should retain the scientific name Cordia trichotoma, geographic origin, acquisition date, supplier or donor, and any available sourcing information.
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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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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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Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
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