louro preto refers to many different woods in different parts of Brazil and South America, but most of the pictures here are most likely Cordia spp. in the gerascanthus group unless otherwise specified
Most of the 10 or so species that have louro preto as all or part of one or more of their common names are in the two genera Cordia spp. of the family Boraginaceae, the borage family, and Nectandra spp. of the family Lauraceae
NOTE: this wood is closely related to bocote but can almost always be easily distinguished from it although there is still occasional confusion among less experienced vendors and craftspeople.
my samples
veneer sheet and closeup --- color shown is more red than the actual wood
veneer sheet and closeup --- color shown is more red than the actual wood
veneer with sapwood --- color shown is more red than the actual wood
the left side of a long sheet and a closeup; colors are accurate, but much darker than "normal" for this species
the right side of the same long sheet and another closeup; colors are accurate
this veneer was specifically listed as "dark" louro preto and indeed, the color, which is accurately shown here, is much darker than is normally found in this species
these veneer sheets were in the same bulk lot as the darker sheets directly above --- they have a lighter color but still are darker than "normal"
more veneer, of the more "normal" color for the species
web pics
planks
figured plank
scales
raw turning stock listed as louro preto / Nectandra mollis
waxed turning stock listed as louro preto / Nectandra mollis
veneer
flat cut veneer
quartersawn veneer
veneer, all from the same vendor
veneer sheet closeups with both levels of enlargement
turning stock --- interestingly enough, these are of the same set of planks, but notice the difference in color between the two pictures. It is this kind of lack of color correctness that caused me to create this web site in the first place.
