SCIENTIFIC NAME
Aspidosperma polyneuron. Derivation: The genus name refers to the shielded seed. The specific epithet means many nerves, referring to the leaf veins. A synonym is A. peroba.

FAMILY
Apocynaceae, the dog bane family.

OTHER NAMES
red peroba, peroba rosa, palo rosa, amargosa, amarello.

DISTRIBUTION
Principally from the southeastern region of Brazil, also Argentina.

THE TREE
The average height of pink peroba is 90 feet with an average diameter of 2.5 feet. It may reach a height of 125 feet with a diameter of 4 to 5 feet. The trunk is straight and well formed. Pink peroba is often tapped for the reddish-orange latex it exudes. All of the leaves are alternate, elliptical and clustered on the ends of twigs. The flowers are white and usually very small. The distinctive fruit is a woody follicle, and the thin seeds are oval.

THE TIMBER
The yellowish sapwood is paler than, but not sharply distinguished from, the heartwood which is tan to rose-red and often streaked with purple or brown. The heartwood darkens on exposure. The luster is medium, and the taste is bitter. It is moderately hard and heavy and average reported specific gravity is about 0.65 (ovendry weight/green volume), equivalent to an air-dried weight of 51 pcf. The grain is straight to irregular, and the texture is fine. Pink peroba is normally a very strong wood but sometimes tends to be brittle. Strength is largely dependent on the grade of the timber, but in general is comparable to oak. When cross-grain is present, strength, especially in resistance to shock loads, is considerably reduced.

SEASONING
When kiln drying, little checking occurs but some distortion may develop. Average reported shrinkage values (green to ovendry) are 3.8% radial, 6.4% tangential and 11.6% volumetric.

DURABILITY
Occasionally there is a tendency for damage by borers, but in Brazil untreated pink peroba rail sleepers normally last 10 to 11 years.

WORKABILITY
If the grain is straight, pink peroba works easily and finishes smoothly. It does not cause undue dulling of tool edges. It stains and polishes well and can be glued satisfactorily.

USES
This timber is used for joinery, furniture, flooring and railway sleepers. It can be sliced for decorative veneer. It has been used successfully for ship decking and due to its acid resisting properties is used as staves for acid vat construction.

SUPPLIES
Pink peroba is available in adequate quantities and is considered to be in the moderate price range. In Brazil, entire buildings may be constructed of it. The quantity of pink peroba in Brazil is greater and more accessible than any other hardwood in the country.

Information from A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Second Edition, James H. Flynn, Jr. and Charles D. Holder, Editors. Forest Products Society, Madison, Wisconsin, 2001.

Photographs from MDArtworks