Wood Species Guide
Verawood
Plectrocarpa arborea (syn. Bulnesia arborea)
Also called: Maracaibo Lignum Vitae, Vera, Guayacan
About the name “Verawood”
Verawood is sometimes sold as lignum vitae, but true lignum vitae is Guaiacum, which has its own page. A close relative, Argentine lignum vitae or palo santo (Plectrocarpa sarmientoi, formerly Bulnesia sarmientoi), looks almost the same but is CITES-listed, so ask for the species and paperwork. Guayacan is also used for ipe in parts of Latin America.
What Verawood looks like
Heartwood is olive to yellowish green when freshly cut, turning darker green to brown with exposure. The sapwood is pale yellow.
Grain and texture
Grain is tightly interlocked, with a very fine, even texture. The wood feels waxy and polishes to a high shine.
Working Verawood: planing, cutting and gluing
One of the hardest woods you can buy, and very oily. Take very light passes on the jointer and planer, expect fast blade wear, and don't count on a strong glue joint; mechanical joinery is safer. It turns beautifully.
Finishing Verawood: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Its oils make most finishes unnecessary; a buff on the lathe or a light wax is plenty. For epoxy or a film finish, wipe with acetone and use a seal coat, and expect slow cure on the surface. The green color shifts toward brown in light.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Very durable and long-lasting outdoors. It is used for marine bearings and bushings, so Florida weather is no problem.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Verawood is a small-piece wood: mallets, tool handles, bearings, knife scales, pens and turned bowls. It smells pleasantly perfumed when worked. Sharpen often and go slow. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Verawood
Tool handles, mallet heads, bearings and bushings, pulley sheaves, turned objects and knife scales.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Its close relative from Argentina and Paraguay, Plectrocarpa sarmientoi, is CITES Appendix II and endangered, so confirm which one you are buying.
Safety and toxicity
- Respiratory / asthma
- Skin irritation
Sneezing is reported from the sawdust, and the closely related lignum vitae can irritate skin. Few detailed reports exist.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask 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.
The sawdust has been reported to cause sneezing, and related lignum vitae can irritate the skin. Use dust collection and a mask.
Verawood in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Verawood 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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