Purpleheart

Common Name(s): Purpleheart, Amaranth

Scientific Name: Peltogyne spp.

Distribution: Central and South America (from Mexico down to southern Brazil)

Tree Size: 100-170 ft (30-50 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 56 lbs/ft³ (905 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .76, .90

Janka Hardness: 2,520 lb_f (11,190 N)

Purpleheart, a tropical hardwood, which is very dense and hard. When freshly cut the heartwood of Purpleheart is a  dull grayish/purplish brown. Upon exposure the wood becomes a deeper eggplant purple. With further age and exposure to UV light, the wood becomes a dark brown with a hint of purple.