Leopardwood

Roupala montana

Dark brown ground scattered with luminous flecks, particularly on quartersawn faces.

Botanical family: Proteaceae
Average dry density: 885 kg/m³ (≈12% MC)
Janka hardness: 2,150 lbf
Native distribution: Central and South America
Grain & texture: Coarse to medium; prominent broad rays

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

Large rays produce its distinctive spots; ray figure is orientation-dependent.

Notable applications

Furniture, musical instruments, veneer and turned details.

Of particular interest

Leopardwood is botanically distinct from snakewood (Brosimum guianense) despite similar animal-pattern trade names.

Workshop note

Commercially confused with several lacewood timbers, which often belong to other genera.

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.