Hibiscus elatus and Hibiscus tiliaceus of the family Malvaceae. This wood takes on a wide range of colors including blue, purple, brown, yellowish green and reddish brown-gray
I have never seen this wood offered as veneer
my samples: NOTE: these pics were all taken in very bright incandescent lighting ("soft white" at 2700K) colors will vary under other lighting conditions
both sides of a sample plank of blue mahoe / Hibiscus elatus --- HUGE enlargements are present. The slightly greenish cast on the second side is correctly represented
end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above
both sides of a sample plank of blue mahoe / Hibiscus elatus --- HUGE enlargements are present. This sample was loaned to me by David Clark whom I thank for this and other contributions to the site. The first side is sanded showing the natural purple of the freshly milled wood and the second side still has the age patina that gives it the "blue" name.
end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above
both sides of a sample plank of blue mahoe --- HUGE enlargements are present. The first side is sanded showing the natural purple of the freshly milled wood and the second side still has the age patina that gives it the "blue" name.
end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above
two small planks contributed to the site by Funktionhouse, whom I thank for this and other contributions. The first pic is the raw wood with a definite green patina on the heartwood and a fairly strong golden tint on the sapwood. The second pic is after I sanded them down, and the greenish color is reduced to a greenish tint on a faded purple color wood.
end grain of the two pieces directly above
end grain closeups from the pieces directly above --- note that the color is washed out in these pics because I use bright light for closeups and I could not get the to color-correct back to a more true color
side grain closeups from the pieces directly above --- note that the color is washed out in these pics because I use bright light for closeups and I could not get the to color-correct back to a more true color
face grain closeups, both from the 2nd piece above. EXTREME closeup are present --- note that the color is washed out in these pics because I use bright light for closeups and I could not get the to color-correct back to a more true color.
web pics:
log ends and a just split log
limb-sized cookies
The pics in this section were contributed to the site by Funktionhouse, who milled these after cutting them in Florida
Two slabs, shot under different lighting (the pair was shot in the shade and the individuals were shot in sunlight)
closeup of a wormy section
slabs
end Functionhouse pics
planks
a very well-photographed, 3" long, piece listed as blue mahoe / Hibiscus elatus with both levels of enlargement, the 2nd of which shows the face grain very nicely
planks and closeup
planks and closeup
freshly milled planks
pen blanks showing a nice array of colors
scales
slabs listed as blue mahoe but given the color, I'm very dubious
blue mahoe pen
dining set
guitar body
bracelets showing some of the color variation of this wood
vase, still on the lathe when this pic was taken and moistened with water for the pic and then the same vase later; note how the colors have faded since since it was fresh turned.
vase
turning listed as a vase, but I'd be more likely to call it a hollow form
hollow form and bowl --- NOTE: although the bowl was LISTED as blue mahoe, I'm pretty confident that it is not.
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