Muiracatiara or Tigerwood is a Central and South American wood. The striking feature of this type of wood is the striped pattern that makes the wood unmistakable, which is why it is also known as tigerwood or zebrawood. The colouring is orange-brown with black veins, the sapwood is grey-yellowish. The existing pores of the Muiracatiara are small and distributed, the alternating grain shows with a fine texture.

Trade Names and Other Names

Abbreviation DIN EN 13556: ASFX
Botanical name: Astronium fraxinifolium
German: Muiracatiara, Tigerwood, Gonçalo Alves
English: Tigerwood, Goncalo Alves, Kingwood
French: bois tigré, gonçalo alves, muiracatiara
Italian: legno tigrato, goncalo alves
Spanish: muiracatiara, madera tigre
Portuguese: muiracatiara, gonçalo alves
Dutch: tijgerhout, muiracatiarahout

Technical Wood Properties

Weight fresh/green: approx. 1050–1200 kg/m³
Density air-dry (12–15 % u): approx. 850–950 kg/m³
Natural durability (DIN EN 350): Class 1–2 – durable to very durable

Occurrence

Muiracatiara, known as Tigerwood, grows in tropical regions of South America, mainly in Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. The tree reaches heights up to 30 m with diameters of 1 m. It belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and is closely related to Goncalo Alves. Its striking appearance and excellent mechanical properties make it one of South America’s most valued hardwoods.

Trunk and Bark

The trunk is straight, cylindrical, and mostly free of branches. The bark is gray to dark brown and slightly flaky. The sapwood is pale yellowish, while the heartwood is orange to reddish-brown with dark contrasting streaks, creating the characteristic “tiger-striped” figure.

Characteristics and Wood Color

The heartwood displays a vibrant mix of orange, red, and dark brown tones with bold black stripes. The grain is generally straight with a fine to medium texture. Tigerwood is dense, heavy, and very hard, offering great stability and natural luster. Its polished surface reveals a warm, luxurious shine, ideal for high-end veneers and interior finishes.

Substitute Woods

Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril), Bubinga (Guibourtia tessmannii), Doussié (Afzelia bipindensis), Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii)

Applications

Tigerwood is used for luxury veneers, fine furniture, flooring, stairs, and architectural interiors. Due to its strength and striking figure, it is also popular in boatbuilding, countertops, and high-end joinery. The bold grain makes it a favorite among designers seeking natural contrast and visual drama.

References

• Wood Atlas | 7th Edition 2022 | Rudi & André Wagenführ
• GD-Holz Data Sheets – Wood Species | 2020
• Properties and Core Sizes of Wood Species | 1989 | Jürgen Sell / Lignum Switzerland