Other Common Names:
Letterwood, Leopardwood, Specklewood

Botanical Name:
Brosimum guinense

Family:
Moracea

Mature Tree Height, Diameter:
80 ft, 1½ ft.

Weight @ 12% M/C:
74/84 lbs./ft.3

Working Properties:
Difficult to work. Inclined to be splintery and splits easily. Hard to cut and drill. Turns well, finishes smoothly and polishes beautifully.

Growing Regions:
Panama, French Guiana, Suriname, and the Amazon region of Brazil.

General Characteristics:
Heartwood is a dark red or reddish brown with conspicuous, irregular black speckles or stripes resembling skins of certain snakes. Grain is straight, odor and taste are not distinct. It has a fine texture and highly lustrous.

Uses:
Walking sticks, umbrella handles, drum sticks, fishing rod buts, cue sticks, and inlay.

Acceptable Substitutes:

References:
"A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Second Edition", Forest Products Society, 2001, p.84-85.

Discussion:
This rare and expensive wood is unique in the grain pattern which appears quarter sawn even if flat sawn. Traditionally used as walking sticks, violin bows, and conductor batons. Now it is also used for cue sticks, flutes, guitar binding, and pens. One of the most difficult of all woods to dry successfully.