is a large genus of small to medium-size trees
in the pea family, Fabaceae
, subfamily Faboideae
. The genus has a wide distribution, native to the tropical
regions of Central
and South America
and southern Asia
. The size of the genus is disputed, with different authorities citing between 100-600 species; ILDIS
accepts 159 species.Selected economically important species
Many species of Dalbergia
are important timber
trees, valued for their decorative and often fragrant wood
, rich in aromatic oils. The most famous of these are the rosewoods
, so-named because of the smell, but several other valuable woods are yielded by the genus.
The pre-eminent rosewood appreciated in the western world is D. nigra known as Rio, Bahia, Brazilian Rosewood, Palisander de Rio Grande, or Jacarandá; heavily exploited in the past, it is now CITES-listed. The second most desired rosewood in the western world is D. latifolia known as (East) Indian Rosewood or Sonokeling. Most rosewoods are a rich brown with a good figure. Note that only a small part of all Dalbergia species yield rosewood.
The (Brazilian) Tulipwood (D. decipularis) is cream coloured with red or salmon stripes. It is most often used in crossbanding and other veneers; it should not be confused with the "tulipwood" of the American Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera, used in inexpensive cabinetwork.
The similarly used (but purple with darker stripes), and also Brazilian, Kingwood is yielded by D. cearensis. Both are smallish trees, to 10m. Another notable timber is Cocobolo, mainly from D. retusa, a Central American timber with spectacular decorative orange red figure on freshly cut surfaces which quickly fades in air to more subdued tones and hues.
To re-export products made from Brazilian rosewood (D. nigra), a CITES permit is required
The Indian souvenir trade sells objects made of Dalbergia sissoo (sometimes stained purple) as if they were rosewood. The wood of some species can be used for toolhandles, at best.
African Blackwood (D. melanoxylon) is an intensely black wood in demand for making woodwind musical instruments.
Dalbergia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Bucculatrix mendax which feeds exclusively on Dalbergia sissoo.
The Dalbergia species are notorious for causing allergic reactions due the presence of sensitizing quinones in the wood.
Gallery of Dalbergia lanceolaria