Red Siris
Scientific name: Albizia odoratissima
Overview
Red Siris is a medium to large tropical hardwood tree in the Fabaceae family, native to South and Southeast Asia. Its natural range includes India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and neighboring parts of tropical Asia. The species occurs in a variety of forest environments and is also planted regionally for timber, shade, agroforestry, and land restoration.
The wood typically develops reddish-brown to dark brown heartwood with noticeably lighter sapwood. It is moderately heavy, generally strong, and capable of producing attractive lumber with straight to interlocked grain. Red Siris is used for furniture, cabinetry, interior joinery, construction, agricultural implements, carving, and other general woodworking applications. Although less internationally familiar than many premium Asian hardwoods, it is a useful regional timber with considerable woodworking potential.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Red Siris
- Alternate Common Name(s): Black Siris, Ceylon Rosewood
- Scientific Name: Albizia odoratissima
- Region: Asian Hardwoods
- Tree Size: Approximately 50–100 ft (15–30 m) tall, with trunks commonly reaching 2–3 ft (0.6–0.9 m) in diameter
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 45 lbs/ft³ (720 kg/m³), with variation according to growing conditions
- Janka Hardness: Reliable standardized species-specific value not widely documented
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Red Siris generally produces reddish-brown to dark brown heartwood that contrasts with considerably lighter yellowish or pale brown sapwood. Mature heartwood may deepen in color with age and exposure.
Grain ranges from straight to interlocked, and quarter-sawn material can display attractive ribbon-like figure. Texture is generally medium to coarse, while properly surfaced material can develop a moderate natural luster.
Key identification traits include:
- Reddish-brown to dark brown heartwood
- Pale yellowish to light brown sapwood
- Noticeable heartwood and sapwood contrast
- Straight to interlocked grain
- Medium to coarse texture
- Potential ribbon figure
- Moderate natural luster
Working Properties
Red Siris generally responds well to conventional woodworking operations, although interlocked grain can create difficulties during planing and surfacing. Sharp cutting tools and careful attention to grain direction help reduce tear-out.
The wood can be turned, carved, sanded, and polished effectively. Its combination of moderate density and strength makes it suitable for both decorative and functional woodworking.
- Machines reasonably well with sharp tools
- Turns well
- Suitable for carving
- Sands to a smooth surface
- Polishes attractively
- Interlocked grain may produce tear-out
- Pre-drilling may be advisable near board edges
Safety Note
Detailed species-specific information concerning reactions to Red Siris wood dust is limited. As with other tropical hardwoods, dust generated during machining may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Appropriate dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during cutting, machining, and sanding.
Common Uses
Its attractive coloration, moderate density, strength, and useful working characteristics make Red Siris suitable for numerous woodworking applications, including:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior joinery
- Construction
- Flooring
- Carving
- Turned objects
- Agricultural implements
- Decorative woodworking
- General carpentry
Sustainability & Notes
Red Siris has a relatively broad natural distribution across portions of South and Southeast Asia and is utilized as both a timber and multipurpose tree. It may also be incorporated into agroforestry systems, planted for shade, and used in land-management applications.
As with other regionally harvested tropical timbers, sourcing can vary considerably. Lumber with documented geographic origin and evidence of responsible forest management is preferable, particularly when material enters international specialty markets.
The common names applied to Albizia species can overlap considerably between regions. Scientific identification is therefore important when documenting lumber or collector specimens.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Moluccan Albizia – A fast-growing member of the Albizia group producing considerably lighter wood and widely planted throughout tropical regions.
East Indian Walnut – An Asian furniture and cabinet wood providing a useful comparison with Red Siris in terms of darker coloration and decorative woodworking applications.
Indian Rosewood – A denser and more internationally recognized South Asian hardwood valued for furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments, turning, and decorative applications.
Related Guides
Albizia Species Guide
Explore the Albizia genus and compare White Siris with other Albizia species, including differences in wood color, density, grain, geographic distribution, and common uses.
Understanding Interlocked vs. Straight Grain – Explore how grain direction influences appearance, machining behavior, strength, and finished surface quality.
Preventing Tear-Out in Interlocked Grain – Learn techniques for obtaining cleaner surfaces when planing and machining woods with reversing or interlocked grain.
Best Woods for Furniture Making – Compare woods used for furniture based on strength, stability, appearance, workability, and durability.
Finishing Oils vs. Polyurethane – Compare common finishing systems and learn how finish selection can affect the appearance and protection of hardwood surfaces.
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
Red Siris is a worthwhile collector species because it represents the diverse Albizia woods of tropical Asia and provides an interesting comparison with both lighter members of the genus and the darker premium hardwoods of the Indian subcontinent.
A documented specimen displayed alongside Moluccan Albizia, Indian Rosewood, and other Asian hardwoods can demonstrate substantial differences in density, coloration, grain, and commercial use.
Because regional common names such as siris, black siris, and similar names may be applied to multiple trees, retaining the scientific name Albizia odoratissima and geographic provenance significantly increases the educational value of a collector sample.
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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
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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