Wood Species Guide

Bosse

Leplaea cedrata (formerly Guarea cedrata)

Also called: Bossé, Light Bosse, Scented Guarea, Guarea, Nigerian Pearwood

Bosse is a West African member of the mahogany family with a soft golden brown color and, at its best, striking mottled figure. It works like a gentle mahogany but carries silica that dulls blades.
ImportHardwoodMahoganies

About the name “Bosse”

"Guarea" is used for both this tree and its darker relative, Guarea thompsonii (dark bosse), which is a different wood. "Nigerian pearwood" is only a trade nickname; the tree is not related to pear.

What Bosse looks like

Heartwood is a pale pinkish brown that matures to a golden or medium brown. The yellowish sapwood is clearly set off. Figured logs can show mottled, curly or pommele patterns.

Grain and texture

Grain can be straight, interlocked or wavy, often within one board. Texture is medium to fine, with a good luster.

Working Bosse: planing, cutting and gluing

Straight-grained stock works easily, but interlocked or quartersawn pieces tear out in the planer, so go slow on the last passes. It contains silica that dulls blades faster than you'd expect for its weight. It glues, turns and finishes well, and many people notice a cedar-like smell.

Finishing Bosse: oil, film finishes and epoxy

Takes oil and clear film finishes well, and figure pops under a clear coat. The pores are moderate, so a thin seal coat before epoxy keeps bubbles down. Like most mahogany relatives, the color warms and darkens with light.

Durability, stability and Florida humidity

Rated moderately durable to very durable, with fair insect resistance, and it weathers fairly well. It is reasonably stable once dry. In Florida, acclimate it in the AC and finish both faces.

Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop

Bosse is mostly seen as figured veneer, but solid boards make a nice mahogany-family alternative for furniture and cabinets. Pick boards by eye, because the figure varies a lot from piece to piece. Plan for extra blade sharpening. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.

Common uses for Bosse

Veneer, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, inlay and turned objects.

Sustainability and CITES status

Not listed in the CITES Appendices. It is rated Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because of population decline, so look for legally documented sources.

Safety and toxicity

Our toxicity rating ModerateWhat the ratings mean
  • Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
  • Skin irritation
  • Respiratory / asthma
  • Nausea or headache

A known sensitizer, though severe reactions are uncommon. Eye, nose and skin irritation are the usual complaints, with occasional headaches or nausea.

In the shop
Dust collection + mask or respirator when sanding; gloves for sensitive skin
Food contact
Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils

General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.

Bosse has been reported as a sensitizer, usually as eye, nose, throat or skin irritation, with occasional asthma-like symptoms, nausea or headaches. Use dust collection and a mask or respirator.

Wood toxicity and dust safety guide: every species compared

Bosse in stock now

Ask us. We can often source it.

We don't have Bosse listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.

Call (239) 331-5925 Book a slab & lumber visit

Similar woods: Mahoganies

See the Mahoganies group guide

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