These trees are prized for their beautiful heartwood which, when cut, quickly turns from a dark brown to a rich purple colour. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light darkens the wood to a brown colour with a slight hue of the original purple. This effect can be minimized with a finish containing a UV inhibitor. The dry wood is very hard and dense with a specific gravity of 0.86 (54 lb/ft^3 or 860 kg/m^3). This wood is quite dense, and if it is to be worked, then a sharp carbide blade is required to cut it. For uses of this wood it is prized for fine inlay work, wood turning, cabinetry, flooring, and furniture. The dust can cause nausea. The wood is also known as amaranth and violet wood. Over harvesting has caused several species to become endangered in areas where they were once abundant.
.
Tomorrow I'll finish rigging it.