Paduak

(Pterocarpus soyauxii)

Africa

The growth range of the species is reported to include Central and tropical West Africa, extending from south-western Nigeria to Zaire, as well as the Andaman Islands, a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal about 650 miles south east of Calcutta. It often grows in small groups and is reported to be common in dense equatorial rain forests.

Padauk is also refered to as Barwood, Comwood, Corail, African Coralwood, Muenge, Mbe, Mbil, Mututi, Ngula, Vermillion, and Yomo.

An eye catching wood, the heartwood is vivid reddish-orange initially, but it changes to bright red, red or coral pink, with dark streaks, or reddish- or purplish-brown or black over time. The color is reported to darken upon drying, but it eventually fades with age.