Bilinga / Opepe

Nauclea diderrichii

Warm golden to orange-brown heartwood with clear natural lustre.

Botanical family: Rubiaceae
Average dry density: 770 kg/m³ (≈12% MC)
Janka hardness: 1,550 lbf
Native distribution: West and Central Africa
Grain & texture: Mostly interlocked; coarse to medium texture

Original photograph © Mokurei Studio · physical timber held in the studio collection. Identification supplied by the studio; reference properties are not individual sample measurements.

Material character

Dense, naturally durable timber that deepens to a rich warm brown.

Notable applications

Exterior joinery, decking, bridges and heavy cabinetry.

Of particular interest

Bilinga and opepe are two common trade names for this same species.

Workshop note

The brighter freshly worked colour becomes less intense over time.

WOOD DATABASE / MATERIAL PROPERTIES ↗KEW SCIENCE / TAXONOMY INDEX ↗

Wood identification is provided by the Mokurei Studio collection, not independently laboratory-verified. Technical figures are reference averages, not measurements of the photographed piece; they vary with provenance and moisture.