Wood Species Guide
Muninga
Pterocarpus angolensis
Also called: Kiaat, Mukwa, Ambila, Kajat, Bloodwood (southern African name)
About the name “Muninga”
In southern Africa this tree is often called bloodwood for its red sap. It is not the bright red South American bloodwood (Brosimum) on our Bloodwood page. Muninga is a close relative of African padauk.
What Muninga looks like
Heartwood is golden brown to medium reddish brown, often with darker streaks. The sapwood is pale and well defined. The color deepens and warms with age.
Grain and texture
Straight to interlocked grain with a medium to coarse texture and a nice luster.
Working Muninga: planing, cutting and gluing
Works easily with hand and machine tools for a wood of its hardness, though interlocked areas can tear out. It glues and finishes well. Very low shrinkage makes it easy to season.
Finishing Muninga: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes oil and film finishes nicely, and oil brings out the gold and red. The open pores benefit from a seal coat before epoxy. Wipe the reddish dust off neighboring light woods before finishing.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Heartwood is moderately durable to durable and resists insects. It is one of the most stable African hardwoods, with very little movement in service. In Florida that stability is a real plus for tabletops and cabinet doors kept indoors.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Muninga is prized in southern Africa for furniture because it barely moves once dry. It is a good pick for drawer fronts, doors and tabletops where you want a padauk relative in calmer brown tones. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it with CITES paperwork.
Common uses for Muninga
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, veneer, carving and turned objects.
Sustainability and CITES status
African populations of Pterocarpus, including muninga, were added to CITES Appendix II in 2023, so legal imports need CITES paperwork. Rated Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
Muninga dust can irritate skin and airways, and some people get asthma-like symptoms. Its padauk relatives are known irritants too.
- 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.
Muninga dust has been reported to irritate skin and airways, and asthma-like symptoms are possible. Severe reactions are uncommon. Use dust collection and a mask or respirator.
Muninga in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Muninga 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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