Black & White Ebony
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Common Name(s): Black and White Ebony, Pale Moon Ebony Scientific Name: Diospyros malabarica (syn. Diospyros embryopteris, D. peregrina) Distribution: Laos and southeast Asia Tree Size: 50-115 ft (15-35 m) tall, 1-3 ft (.3-1 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 51 lbs/ft3 (825 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .67, .82 Janka Hardness: 1,780 lbf (7,920 N) Modulus of Rupture: No data available Elastic Modulus: No data available Crushing Strength: No data available Shrinkage: No data available |
Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a pale straw color, with darker black streaks throughout; some pieces may be predominantly black rather than white. Sapwood is a paler white color, not always clearly defined.
Grain/Texture: Generally straight grain with a fine, uniform texture and good natural luster.
Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; medium to large pores in no specific arrangement, few; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; heartwood deposits occasionally present; parenchyma reticulate, diffuse-in-aggregates, vasicentric; rays narrow, spacing close.
Rot Resistance: Reported to be very durable; moderate insect/borer resistance, though portions of the wood commonly have insect holes present.
Workability: Generally works and turns well, though pieces can be difficult to dry without checking.
Odor: No characteristic odor.
Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Ebony in the Diospyros genus has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Pricing/Availability: Not commonly available, Black and White Ebony is very expensive, on par with solid-black species of ebony.
Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Common Uses: Turned objects, inlay, and other small wood projects.
