Common Name:

General Information

Peltogyne purpurea is a deciduous tree with an elongated crown; it can grow up to 35 - 40 metres tall. The bole branches from low down, it is moderately buttressed and can be up to 100cm in diameter[, ].
This tree is a major source of 'purpleheart' wood. One of the most valuable timbers of southern Costa Rica, it is extensively harvested from the wild and traded internationally[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - Colombia; C. America - Panama, Costa Rica.

Habitat

Found in very humid climates, it grows best in the hills or in areas with good soil drainage at elevations
from 50 - 500 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	30.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist, lowland tropics, usually found in areas with a distinct dry season[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is purple, streaked with darker or lighter shades of the same, drying to a brilliant purple when exposed to the light; the thick layer of sapwood is nearly white, drying to a gray-yellow-brown[, ]. The wood is very hard, heavy, strong, tough, fine-grained and often cross-grained. It takes a very beautiful polish. It is difficult to split and work[, ]. It has been used for agricultural tools, boats, general carpentry, interior and exterior construction, railway foundations, furniture, cabinetwork, panelling, inlays, flooring, dock fenders, veneer, and ornamental plates[].

Propagation

The fruits remain on the trees long after their maturation and the seeds, when freed by the opening of the valves, continue to adhere to the valves through the funicle, reaching the ground only, as it seems, when the condition are favourable to ensure germination[].

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