Massaranduba (Botanical: Manilkara bidentata)

Massaranduba Characteristics

This is a durable, hard, and resilient wood that resists decay and insects quite well.

Color Range

The heartwood is light to dark reddish brown in color. The color has also been described as dull plum red, somewhat resembling raw beef.

Other Names

Acana, Aus, Ausabo, Balata, Balata franc, Balata gomme, Balata rouge, Beefwood, Bolletri, Bolletrie, Bulletwood, Chicozapota, Macaranduba, Maparajuba, Massarandu, Nispero, Pamashto, Paraju, Quinilla colorada, Red balata

Some Typical Uses

Furniture parts, decking, flooring, interior millwork

What's the Tree Like?

The tree is usually large, attaining heights of 100 to 150 feet, with diameters of 24 to 48 inches, (60 to 120 cm), sometimes reaching 6 feet (1.8 m). Trees are usually swollen at the base, and boles are often straight and clear to about 60 feet (18 m).

Massaranduba grows in

Latin America from Mexico throughout much of South America