Common Name(s): Merbau, Kwila, Ipil, Vesi, Ironwood
Scientific Name: Intsia spp. (I. bijuga, I. palembanica)
Distribution: From East Africa to Southeast Asia and Australia;
New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu
Janka Hardness: 1,840 lbf
Color/Appearance: Has an orangish-brown color when freshly cut, which ages to a darker reddish-brown. Color between boards can be highly variable. There are also small yellow mineral deposits found throughout the wood, making it easier to separate from other lookalikes. (These yellow deposits are water-soluble and can cause staining.)
Grain/Texture: Grain is straight to interlocked. Texture is coarse, with a moderate natural luster.
Workability: Glues and finishes well, though it can be difficult to saw due to gumming and dulling of teeth.
Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List. It is listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitation.
Common Uses: Flooring, furniture, musical instruments, turned objects, and other specialty wood items.