Sea Grape
Scientific name: Coccoloba uvifera
Overview
Sea Grape is one of the most recognizable coastal trees in the Caribbean. While widely known for its large rounded leaves and grape-like fruit clusters, it also produces a dense and durable hardwood valued regionally for small construction, turning, and specialty woodworking.
The wood is typically medium to dark brown, sometimes with subtle reddish tones. Older material can display attractive figuring and mild interlocking grain. Though not widely exported as commercial lumber, Sea Grape holds strong regional identity and collector appeal.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Sea Grape
- Scientific Name: Coccoloba uvifera
- Region: Caribbean & West Indies Hardwoods (Caribbean, Florida, and coastal Central America)
- Tree Size: 15–50 ft tall, 1–2 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 63 lbs/ft³ (1,010 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 2,500 lbf
- Color: Reddish brown to dark brown with darker streaks
- Grain: Irregular to interlocked
- Texture: Fine to medium
Identification Characteristics
Heartwood ranges from medium brown to darker reddish-brown tones. Grain may be straight but often shows mild interlocking or subtle ribbon character. Texture is fine to medium, and the wood feels heavy for its size.
Key identification traits include:
- Medium to dark brown coloration
- Dense and solid feel
- Occasional subtle figure
- Fine, even texture
- Coastal species origin
Working Properties
Sea Grape machines reasonably well when sharp tools are used.
- Turns smoothly
- Sands to a fine finish
- Accepts oil finishes well
- Pre-drilling recommended
- Dense and durable in service
Because of its density, it performs well in small structural and turned applications.
Safety Note
Standard hardwood dust precautions recommended. No widely reported unusual toxicity issues for seasoned material.
Common Uses
Sea Grape common uses including:
- Turned bowls
- Walking sticks
- Tool handles
- Small furniture parts
- Craft items
- Utility components
Sustainability & Notes
Sea Grape is primarily a coastal species and is often protected in certain regions due to its ecological importance in shoreline stabilization. Commercial lumber availability is limited. Most material appears as locally sourced stock or salvaged wood.
Provenance documentation increases collector interest.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Jamaican Teak – Similar density range but typically darker and more uniform in color.
Lancewood – Straighter grain structure and more commonly used for tool handles and shafts.
West Indian Mahogany – Lighter in weight and more traditionally used in furniture applications.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Useful for identifying dense tropical hardwoods.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Places Sea Grape in the higher-density Caribbean range.
Building a Documented Wood Collection
Important for documenting regionally iconic species.
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
Sea Grape is most often encountered in smaller turning blanks or salvaged stock rather than wide commercial boards. When cataloging, note the density, medium to dark brown coloration, and confirmed Caribbean origin. Because the species is iconic to coastal regions, documented provenance and ethically sourced material increase long-term collector value.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
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.
Love This Species?
Enjoy learning about this wood species?
Help support the continued growth of Exotic Woods of the World by participating in our Adopt a Species program. Your support helps fund species research, educational content, photography, videos, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.
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.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
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:
• 3M XtractNet Hook and Loop Sanding Disc Multi-Pack for virtually dust-free sanding and fine surface finishing
https://amzn.to/4nPgt9Z
• 3M P100 Respirator Cartridge and Filter Set for protection against dust, organic vapors, and airborne particles during woodworking and finishing
https://amzn.to/4f0z7t1
• FONAROLL Microfiber Wax Applicator Pads for applying waxes, oils, and fine wood finishes evenly across surfaces
https://amzn.to/4a9ANgn
Share This Wood Species
Stay Connected
Follow the latest species additions, educational resources, videos, conservation initiatives, and major project milestones through our Site Updates archive.
The Site Updates archive provides a permanent record of new content, library growth, and future developments across Exotic Woods of the World.