Rosewood

Chess pieces in Dalbergia latifolia rosewood

Rosewood is wood from trees of the genus Dalbergia.

The wood of Dalbergia nigra is known as "Brazilian rosewood", and also as "Bahia rosewood".It has a strong, sweet smell, which lasts for many years.^[1]

Another rosewood comes from Dalbergia latifolia known as (East) Indian rosewood or sonokeling (Indonesia). It is native to India and is also grown in plantations elsewhere in Pakistan (Chiniot).

Madagascar rosewood (Dalbergia maritima), known as bois de rose, is highly prized for its red colour. It is overexploited in the wild. A 2010 moratorium on trade and illegal logging is being ignored.^[2]

Throughout southeast Asia Dalbergia oliveri is harvested for use in woodworking. It has a fragrant odour. Dalbergia cultrata is being used and sold as D. olvieri.^[3]

References

1. "Distinguishing Brazilian Rosewood, East Indian and Other Rosewoods - The Wood Database". www.wood-database.com.
2. "In search of Madagascar's rosewood mafia". BBC. 20 February 2014. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
3. "Dalbergia cultrata Benth. — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org. Archived from the original on 2019-08-09. Retrieved 2019-09-27.