Dalbergia nigra

{{Short description|Species of legume}} {{distinguish|text=''[[Aniba rosaeodora]]'', which is also known as "Brazilian rosewood"}} {{Speciesbox |image = Dalbergia nigra Blätter1.jpg |image_caption = Leaves |image2 = Rio-Palisander, dunkel Holz.JPG |image2_caption = A [[Wood veneer|veneer]] cut made of ''Dalbergia nigra''. |status = VU |status_system = IUCN2.3 |status2 = CITES_A1 |status2_system = CITES |status2_ref = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Appendices {{!}} CITES|url=https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php|access-date=2022-01-14|website=cites.org}}</ref> |genus = Dalbergia |species = nigra |authority = ([[José Mariano da Conceição Vellozo|Vell.]]) [[Francisco Freire Allemão e Cysneiro|Allemão]] ex [[George Bentham|Benth.]] |synonyms = {{Plainlist | style = margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; | *''Drepanocarpus microphyllus'' Wawra *''Miscolobium nigrum'' Allemao *''Pterocarpus niger'' Vell. }} |synonyms_ref = <ref>{{citation |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/ild-16736 |title=The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species |accessdate=12 December 2015}}</ref> }}

'''''Dalbergia nigra''''', commonly known as the '''Bahia rosewood''', '''jacarandá-da-Bahia''', '''Brazilian rosewood''', '''Rio rosewood''', '''jacarandá-do-brasil''', '''pianowood''', '''caviúna''', '''graúna''', '''jacarandá-una''' or '''obuina''' is a species of [[legume]] in the family [[Fabaceae]].

==Description== ''Dalbergia nigra'' produces a very hard and heavy wood, characteristically varied in colour from brick red through various shades of brown (medium to nearly black). Pieces that feature veins of black colouration called ''spider webbing'' or ''landscape grain'' are especially prized. Another distinguishing feature is its outstanding resonance. An evenly cut piece that is tapped emits a bright metallic ring that sustains. This property, combined with its beauty, has made Brazilian rosewood a favourite of musical instrument makers for centuries.

Brazilian rosewood is highly resistant to insect attacks.<ref name=ARKive/>

There are many species in the genus ''[[Dalbergia]]'' that can be confused with ''Dalbergia nigra'', but the latter can be recognised by its colour and [[resin]].<ref name=CITES>[http://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/08/prop/E08-Prop-91_Dalbergia.pdf Amendments to Appendices I and II of The Convention - Other Proposals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221194131/http://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/08/prop/E08-Prop-91_Dalbergia.pdf |date=2014-02-21 }} CITES. March 1992.</ref> It may also be confused with ''[[Machaerium (plant)|Machaerium]]'', which has a more compact [[parenchyma]] and lack large pores.<ref name=CITES/>

Very little is known about the ecology and reproduction of the Brazilian rosewood.<ref name=ARKive>ARKive on Brazilian Rosewood</ref>

==Former uses== The wood of this species has been much sought after since it was first introduced to the European and subsequently the world market, hundreds of years ago. ''Dalbergia nigra'' became popular in high grade furniture, such as that produced during the [[Regency era|Regency period]] of late 18th and early 19th centuries—and more recently by [[Scandinavia]]n makers, who produced furniture in the [[Danish Modern]] style. This species has also been used in various musical instruments, decorative wood-ware, knife handles and [[turnery]]. Much of the most highly figured material was sliced into [[Wood veneer|veneers]], which decorated items such as domestic and office furniture, wall panels, and piano cases; it was also a favourite of [[marquetry]] artists.{{Citation needed|date=June 2014}}

Old growth Brazilian rosewood remains highly prized by classical and steel string guitar makers, who regard it as perhaps the best sounding wood for guitar backs and sides. It was used in instruments as long ago as the late [[Renaissance]] and [[Baroque]] eras, when luthiers used it for [[lute]] backs (ribs) and various parts of other stringed musical instruments. It was also used in woodwind instruments, such as [[bassoon]]s, [[flute]]s, and recorders.{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}

==Habitat and distribution== ''Dalbergia nigra'' is [[endemic]] to [[Brazil]], and native to the [[Bahia interior forests]] ecoregion.<ref name=IUCN>[http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/32985/0 Dalbergia nigra] The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.</ref>

It is endemic to the [[Atlantic Forest]] biome of [[southeastern Brazil]], and found only in southern [[Bahia]], [[Espírito Santo]], [[Minas Gerais]], and [[Rio de Janeiro (state)|Rio de Janeiro]] states.<ref name=CITES/>

It needs a [[habitat]] of wet and damp forest on rich soils to thrive.<ref name=IUCN/>

==Conservational status== ''Dalbergia nigra'' is listed as [[Vulnerable species|vulnerable]] on the international [[IUCN Red List]].<ref name=IUCN/> The trees' regeneration rates among existing populations are poor, possibly because the seeds of the few remaining fruiting trees are heavily predated by rodents.<ref name=ARKive/> In addition it is threatened by [[habitat loss]], since most of the plant's forest habitats have been converted to farmland. Due to its endangered status, it was [[Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna|CITES]]-listed on June 11, 1992, in Appendix I (the most protected), and trade in it is restricted.<ref>[https://cites.org/eng/disc/how.php How CITES works]</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Sources== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20140304124303/http://www.arkive.org/brazilian-rosewood/dalbergia-nigra/image-G64243.html ARKive.org: ''Dalbergia nigra'' (Brazilian Rosewood)]

[[Category:Dalbergia|nigra]] [[Category:Endemic flora of Brazil]] [[Category:Flora of the Atlantic Forest]] [[Category:Trees of Brazil]] [[Category:Flora of Bahia]] [[Category:Flora of Espírito Santo]] [[Category:Flora of Minas Gerais]] [[Category:Flora of Rio de Janeiro (state)]] [[Category:Environment of Sergipe]] [[Category:Vulnerable flora of South America]] [[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]