Morado, also known as Bolivian Rosewood or Pau Ferro (Machaerium scleroxylon), is a tropical hardwood from the Fabaceae family, native to South America, primarily Bolivia, Brazil, and parts of Paraguay. It grows in dry tropical forests and savannas, reaching heights of 60–100 feet with trunk diameters of 2–3 feet, often with a straight bole that makes it suitable for lumber production.
The heartwood of Morado is a rich, dark brown with a reddish or purplish hue, often featuring darker streaks of black or violet that create a striking contrast, reminiscent of true rosewoods. Freshly cut, it may show brighter reddish tones that deepen to a deeper brown over time with exposure to light and air. The sapwood is a pale yellowish-white, sharply distinct from the heartwood. The grain is typically straight to interlocked, with a fine to medium texture and a high natural lustre, giving it a polished, glossy appearance when finished.
Morado has a density of around 850–950 kg/m³, making it a hard, heavy, and durable wood with excellent stability once seasoned. It’s highly resistant to decay, moisture, and insects, thanks to its natural oils, which also contribute to its smooth, waxy feel. These oils can make gluing challenging—wiping with a solvent like alcohol before bonding is recommended—and may affect some finishes, though oil-based or wax finishes work well. The wood machines and turns beautifully, but its hardness can dull tools, and its fine dust may cause irritation, potentially leading to allergic reactions like dermatitis in some individuals.
When worked, Morado has a mild, sweet, and slightly spicy aroma, similar to other rosewoods, which can linger subtly in the finished piece. In the UK, it’s often used as a substitute for true rosewoods (like Brazilian Rosewood), prized for high-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, and musical instruments such as guitar fingerboards and backs, where it offers a warm, resonant tone with good clarity. It’s also popular for small turned objects like pens, knife handles, and decorative inlays, where its rich colour and grain can be highlighted.
Morado is moderately expensive, less costly than true rosewoods but more than many domestic hardwoods, due to its desirable properties and import costs. While Machaerium scleroxylon is not listed on CITES Appendices, it’s considered near-threatened by the IUCN due to overexploitation and habitat loss in parts of its range, particularly from agricultural expansion. In the UK, it’s a popular choice for bespoke projects, often sourced from managed forests to ensure sustainability, balancing beauty, durability, and cost-effectiveness.