Katalox

Swartzia cubensis

Violet-brown to almost black heartwood, at times sharply contrasted with pale sapwood.

Botanical family: Fabaceae
Average dry density: 1,150 kg/m³ (≈12% MC)
Janka hardness: 3,660 lbf
Native distribution: Southern Mexico to Honduras; western Cuba
Grain & texture: Fine to medium; generally straight

Original photograph © Mokurei Studio · timber held in the studio collection. Identification supplied by the studio; physical-property values are literature references, not measurements of the pictured piece.

Material character

Exceptional indentation resistance and dense, smooth surfaces when carefully finished.

Notable applications

Flooring, knife handles, inlay and musical-instrument components.

Of particular interest

Its trade name 'Mexican ebony' describes its appearance, although it is not botanically an ebony.

Workshop note

Hardness and occasional interlocked grain make precise tooling important.

WOOD DATABASE / MATERIAL PROPERTIES ↗KEW SCIENCE / TAXON RECORD ↗

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.