Leopardwood
Roupala brasiliensis
Genus: Roupala · Family: Proteaceae
Quick Facts
Wood Type
Hardwood
Native Range
South America
Avg. Dried Weight
52 lb/ft³
Janka Hardness
2,150 lbf
Decay Resistance
Moderately Durable
Typical Color
Reddish Brown
Stability
Medium
Outdoor Suitability
Fair
Workability
Moderate
Availability
Limited
CITES
Unlisted
IUCN
Not Evaluated
Did You Know?
- •Leopardwood is harder than 78% of the 137 species in our database.
Janka Hardness Scale
Very Hard
Overview
Professional Summary
Leopardwood (Roupala brasiliensis) is a South American hardwood instantly recognizable for its bold, dark flecking pattern against a medium reddish-brown background — a result of large ray cells that produce a striking leopard-spot figure when the wood is quartersawn. At 2,150 lbf Janka hardness and 52 lb/ft³ average dried weight, it is a dense, hard timber that demands sharp tooling and patience during machining, particularly because interlocked grain can cause tearout. The medium-to-coarse texture finishes well and the dramatic figure makes it highly sought after for decorative applications including veneer, turned objects, furniture accents, and specialty woodworking. Leopardwood is rated moderately durable against decay. It is not CITES-listed but is not widely available in commercial volumes, making it a specialty import typically sold in smaller dimensions.
In Plain English
Leopardwood lives up to its name — when cut the right way, it shows dark spots and flecks scattered across a reddish-brown background, looking remarkably like a leopard's coat. It's very hard and dense, so it takes some effort to work, but the payoff is a truly unique-looking finished piece. It's mostly used for decorative projects, accent pieces, and anything where you want that unmistakable spotted pattern to be the star of the show.
Appearance
Technical Properties
Sources, Conditions & Safety
No documented references are attached to this profile yet. Its recorded values should not be treated as source-verified.
Wood dust & sensitivity
Species-specific safety information has not been documented here. Absence of a warning does not mean the wood is safe or non-allergenic.
Use dust extraction and appropriate protective equipment; consult occupational-safety guidance. This is not medical advice or food-contact approval.
Durability & Performance
Workability
Common Uses
Decorative veneer, turned objects, furniture accents, knife handles, jewelry boxes, and specialty inlays where the distinctive spotted figure can be showcased.
Sustainability & Trade
Listings are reference information, not proof of legal sourcing or certification. Verify current trade rules and supplier documentation before buying; absence of a note does not mean unrestricted trade.
Must be quartersawn to display the characteristic leopard spots — flatsawn boards look relatively plain. Very hard on tools. Interlocked grain requires careful machining to avoid tearout. Availability is limited and prices are high.
Native Distribution
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Look-Alike Species
Woods with a similar reddish brown color that are easily confused with Leopardwood. Recorded differences are shown where data exists; confirm identification with end-grain examination.
- • Softer (Janka 1,750 lbf)
- • Lighter (47 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Durable
- • Texture: Medium
- • Softer (Janka 1,070 lbf)
- • Lighter (37 lb/ft³)
- • Softer (Janka 1,220 lbf)
- • Lighter (40 lb/ft³)
- • Texture: Medium
- • Harder (Janka 2,430 lbf)
- • Decay: Durable