Wood Species Guide
Marblewood
Zygia racemosa (syn. Marmaroxylon racemosum)
Also called: Angelim Rajado, Bois Serpent
What Marblewood looks like
Heartwood is a golden to tan background with bold, irregular dark brown to black stripes, a lot like marble veining. The stripes darken a little with age.
Grain and texture
Grain is straight to irregular, with a fine to medium texture and a good natural luster.
Working Marblewood: planing, cutting and gluing
Dense and fairly hard on blades, so expect a moderate to severe dulling effect. It glues, turns and finishes well. It can check and weep resin while drying, so buy well-dried stock.
Finishing Marblewood: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Polishes well with oil or a film finish, and the stripes pop under a clear coat. Wipe with acetone before epoxy, and seal first if you see any resin. Dark dust from the stripes can smear into the light areas, so vacuum between grits.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Rated durable to very durable, with moderate insect resistance. It is mostly used indoors as an accent wood, where Florida humidity is not a concern once it is finished.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Marblewood is an accent wood for boxes, turnings, inlay, cutting board strips and small furniture parts. The zebra-like stripes go nicely with plain maple or walnut. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Marblewood
Turned objects, inlay, veneer, boxes, flooring, cabinetry and fine furniture.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- No common reactions reported
Few reports. Nothing beyond normal dust irritation is documented.
- In the shop
- Normal dust collection + mask when sanding
- 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 reactions are reported beyond normal wood dust irritation. Use dust collection and a mask.
Marblewood in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Marblewood 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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