Rosids: Fabaceae: true Rosewoods (and Friends)- the prettiest beans

Amboyna, Red Narra, Malay Padauk, Andaman Redwood

Pterocarpus indicus

Height: 80-130ft

Range: Southeast Asia mainland and near coastal island chains

While not a true rosewood (closely related), Amboyna Burl is one of the most sought after woods on the planet, but the non-burl wood is amazing too.

It is endangered through most of its range so the wood I use is old. My current [very limited] stock was cu

Canarywood, Tarara, Amarilla

Centrolobium microchaete

Height: 100ft

Range: C and S America, Isthmus of Panama to Brazil

Not quite a true rosewood, but closely related- Canarywood is one of the few woods of the world to have nearly a full rainbow of colors in the grain. Red-orange streaks are most common, but occasional blue, green, and violet streaks can appear. 

African Blackwood, Hbny, Mpingo

Dalbergia melanoxylon

Height: 50 ft

Range: Subsaharan Africa

A true rosewood, this was the original wood designated as "ebony" due to the pitch black coloration (sometimes with reddish brown streaks). It's been used for woodcraft as far back as Ancient Egypt, but also used as arrow heads and for other small items that needed to be dense, hard, and durable. These days it

Katalox, Mexican Royal Ebony, Aztec Ebony

Swartzia cubensis

Pronounced (cat-uh-low-sh)

Height: 100-130 ft 

Range: Mexico to Brazil

Neither an ebony nor a true rosewood (but closely related to the later) this is a dense and durable wood. It has a deep color which can range from dark indigo to chocolate brown to black. 

Kingwood, Violetta, Bois de Violette

Dalbergia cearensis

Height: 30-60ft

Range: Western Brazil

One of the most stunning rosewoods, it has a rich indigo to purplish-pink color when freshly cut, oxidizing to a purple-brown color with gorgeous black striping. Some pieces may have sapwood which is cream colored and highly contrasts the dark heartwood. Harder and harder to get, supply is becoming limited. 

Brazilian Ebony, Panacoco, Coracao de negro

Swartzia panacoco

Height: 100-130ft

Range: Northwest South America

A close cousin to Katalox, it has similar coloration and working properties. While the pieces I have are lucky to be the deep purple to black coloration similar to Katalox, it can also be dark olive-brown to black.