Wood Species Guide
Lacewood
Panopsis spp. (mainly P. rubescens and P. sessilifolia)
Also called: Brazilian Lacewood, South American Lacewood, Leopard Oak (loosely)
About the name “Lacewood”
Lacewood is a loose trade name. True Brazilian lacewood is Panopsis from South America, but Australian silky oak (Grevillea robusta) is also sold as lacewood, and so is European plane (Platanus) when quartersawn. They all share that flecked, scaly ray figure. If you are looking at a Florida-grown slab labeled lacewood, it is most likely silky oak; see our Silk Oak page.
What Lacewood looks like
Reddish-pink to warm tan heartwood that mellows toward a golden brown over time. The large ray flecks read lighter or darker than the background depending on how the light hits them.
Grain and texture
The whole show is the ray figure. On quartersawn faces the big rays break up the surface into a scaly, lace-like pattern; flatsawn boards look much plainer. Texture is coarse with fairly straight grain.
Working Lacewood: planing, cutting and gluing
Cuts easily and is light on tools, but those big rays like to chip out on the planer and jointer. Take shallow passes, keep knives sharp, or switch to a helical head or drum sander for the final thickness. Glues and screws without drama.
Finishing Lacewood: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Oils bring out the shimmer in the flecks, and a hardwax oil like Osmo keeps it looking natural. The coarse texture soaks up a lot on the first coat, so for a glassy film or epoxy flood coat, seal it first with a thin coat to stop bubbles from the pores. Color will darken and warm with light exposure.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Not very rot or insect resistant, so keep it indoors. It is reasonably stable once dry. In Florida, let it acclimate in an air-conditioned room before final machining and finish both faces equally.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
We do not keep Brazilian lacewood in stock, but we can often source it, and it is a favorite for small accent work. Quartersawn boards are the ones you want; check the face before you buy. It makes striking box lids, drawer fronts and inlay panels, and it pairs well with darker woods like walnut or wenge. Ask us if you want a Florida-grown alternative with a similar flake: our silky oak slabs scratch the same itch.
Common uses for Lacewood
Boxes, inlay and accent panels, veneer, turned items, guitar backs and decorative furniture details.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices and not evaluated as threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
- Eye irritation
Few reports for this exact wood, but woodworkers do describe rashes and stuffy airways from lacewood dust, and related woods in the same plant family are known irritants. The trade name covers several woods, so the exact species is uncertain.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + respirator when sanding; long sleeves if sensitive
- Food contact
- Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
No specific reactions are well documented for Panopsis itself, but woodworkers do report skin rashes and breathing irritation from lacewood dust, and related Proteaceae woods are known irritants. Use dust collection and a good mask, and wear sleeves if you are sensitive.
Lacewood in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Lacewood 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.
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