COMMON NAMES:   Snakewood, letterwood, leopard wood, speckled wood, amourette

SPECIFIC GRAVITY:   .82 - 1.3

DENSITY:  81 lbs./cu.ft.

TANGENTIAL MOVEMENT:   9%

RADIAL MOVEMENT:   6%

VOLUMETRIC SHRINKAGE:

DURABILITY1:   Excellent

SOURCE:  Central and tropical South America

DESCRIPTION:   Extremely heavy, hard and strong wood. Heartwood is reddish brown with speckles of black appearing as hieroglyphics or snakeskin markings. Straight grain. Texture fine and even. Snakewood is brittle and splits easily. Very smooth when finished; has natural polish. Used for umbrella handles, walking sticks, caskets, fancy items, cabinets.

1 Durability refers to a wood's resistance to rotting in wet environments.