Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae, the legume family; the pea group.
Origin: It has a wide range from southern Mexico southward through Central America and continuing to Argentina.
Other common names: Bálsamo, básalm of Peru, palo de balsamo, cedro chino, nabal, chirraca, sándalo, tache, tolú, estoraque, cabriuva vermelha, incienso, quina and oleo vermelho.
The tree: It generally grows to heights of 50 to 65 ft. but in Peru some trees occasionally reach 100 ft. It has a clear bole up to 3/4 its total length with a trunk diameter varying from 18 to 36 in. Its compound leaves have 5 to 11 leaflets and it has whitish flowers that cluster together in long racemes.
Appearance: The heartwood is reddish-brown becoming deep red or somewhat purplish with exposure and is sharply demarcated from the white sapwood. It is fairly uniform to striped with a medium to high luster. The grain is typically interlocked with ripple marks and a medium texture. It has a spicy scent when cut.
Density: Average reported specific gravity varies from 0.74 to 0.81(ovendry weight/green volume), equal to an air-dried weight of 59 to 65 pcf. Janka hardness is 2200 pounds of force.
Drying & shrinkage: It is reported to be stable and easy to dry with little or no degrade. Average reported shrinkage values (green to ovendry) are 3.8% radial, 6.2% tangential and 10.0% volumetric.
Working properties: It is moderately difficult to work but it can be finish smoothly with a high natural polish and it turns well. Though nonsiliceous, there is more than the usual dulling of cutters. It does not stain well.
Durability: The heartwood is highly durable and resistant to attack by decay fungi and the sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Uses: Uses include fine furniture, cabinetmaking, interior trim, turnery, flooring, railroad ties, and rollers for crushing sugarcane. It is well known for its resin, which is used in salves, antiseptics, cough syrup flavoring and especially in perfume and was once used extravagantly as a type of cure-all medicine in Europe in the sixteenth century.
Availability: Santos mahogany is rarely seen in world markets since supplies have been depleted over much of its natural range.