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Scientific Name: Diospyros spp.
Other Names and Species: Kanran, Kukuo (Gambia), Mgiriti, Msindi (Tanzania), Nyareti (Nigeria), Omenowa (Ghana)
Origin: Equatorial West Africa
Appearance: When freshly cut, the sapwood of African ebony is pink-colored, but darkens to a pale red brown; whereas the heartwood shows a uniform jet-black or black-brown color, sometimes with streaks. Ebony has a very fine texture, with the grain ranging from straight to slightly interlocked, or even moderately curly. The luster of this wood may have an almost metallic appearance.
Properties: An attractive and popular wood with many decorative uses, ebony is notably hard, heavy, and strong, and also very resistant to termite attack.
Workability: This highly durable wood is difficult to work with either machine or hand tools, due to its relative hardness; and, as any contractor or builder can tell you, it has a pronounced dulling effect on tool edges. It usually requires pre-drilling to nail or screw. However, it finishes to a naturally dark and polished surface. Note that prolonged exposure to ebony sawdust may cause dermatitis.
Principal Uses: Besides being used in hardwood flooring and inlaid work, ebony can be found in piano keys and other musical instrum