African Hardwoods

African Mahogany

Khaya spp. (trade group)

-24% vs European oak hardness · -19% denser

Colour & grain: Pink–reddish brown, often ribbon figure. May deepen slightly with light and oil

Suitable forServingDecor

Lighter tropical option. African populations of Khaya are CITES Appendix II (#17) as of 5 Mar 2026 — verify species and documents.

Iroko

Milicia excelsa / M. regia

+6% harder than European oak · -2% denser

Colour & grain: Golden to warm brown, coarse open grain. Fresh gold → richer brown over time

Suitable forServingDecorOutdoor accents*

Sometimes marketed as “African teak” — it is not teak. Not CITES-listed.

Ovangkol

Guibourtia ehie (shedua / amazakoué)

+19% harder than European oak · +22% denser

Colour & grain: Yellowish to reddish brown with darker brown, grey or black stripes. Warms and deepens slightly with oil and light

Suitable forServingDecorAccents

Same genus as bubinga, but G. ehie is not CITES-listed (only G. demeusei / pellegriniana / tessmannii are). IUCN: least concern. Contains silica — tough on tools. Photo: rough-sawn sample (CC0).

Sapele

Entandrophragma cylindricum

+21% harder than European oak · -1% denser

Colour & grain: Reddish–golden brown, ribbon stripe. Deepens with oil; fairly stable hue

Suitable forServingDecor

Mahogany-like look, separate species. Not CITES-listed.

African Padauk

Pterocarpus soyauxii

+53% harder than European oak · +10% denser

Colour & grain: Vivid orange-red when fresh, open pores. Shifts to deeper red-brown / brown

Suitable forDecorAccent stripsServing*

African populations of Pterocarpus (incl. P. soyauxii) are CITES Appendix II (#17). Distinct from kosso (P. erinaceus), which is the same genus listing.

Zebrano / Zebrawood

Microberlinia brazzavillensis

+63% harder than European oak · +19% denser

Colour & grain: Pale ground with bold dark stripes. Contrast stays strong; oil deepens tones

Suitable forDecorAccents

Showpiece grain; high movement risk if poorly dried. Not CITES-listed.

Wenge

Millettia laurentii

+72% harder than European oak · +29% denser

Colour & grain: Near-black with coarse dark lines. Stays very dark; finish can look almost black

Suitable forDecorAccents

Splintery edges; heavy on tools. Not CITES-listed; still prefer documented sourcing.

Bubinga

Guibourtia demeusei / G. pellegriniana / G. tessmannii

+115% harder than European oak · +32% denser

Colour & grain: Pink-red to reddish brown, often figured. Warm tones deepen with age and oil

Suitable forDecorPremium accents

These three Guibourtia species are CITES Appendix II (#15). Other Guibourtia are not automatically listed — identity matters.

Pink Ivory

Berchemia zeyheri · southern Africa

+188% harder than European oak · +53% denser

Colour & grain: Pale brownish pink to vivid pink or deep red; fine dense grain. May fade / brown with UV & time

Suitable forSmall decorAccentsInlaysPens / knife handles (not large boards)

Often called “rarer than diamonds”: scarce commercial wood; protected/harvest-controlled in South Africa (verify status). Not CITES-listed per Appendices 5 Mar 2026. Photo: carved CC BY object, not a flat board sample.