The name zebrawood is used to describe several tree species and the wood derived from them.

 

Zebrawood is characterized by a striped figure that reminiscent of a zebra. The name originally applied to the wood of Astronium graveolens, a large tree native to Central America.

 

In the 20th century, the most important source of zebrawood was Microberlinia brazzavillensis, a tree native to Central Africa. Other sources include Brazilian Astronium fraxinifolium, African Brachystegia spiciformis, Pacific Guettarda speciosa, and Asian Pistacia integerrima.

 

In the 20th century, the name zebrawood, as applied to Astronium species, went out of use. The word now usually refers to wood of the very different African tree Microberlinia brazzavillensis, but may be applied to other woods, mostly belonging to the same Fabaceae family, but not exclusively so, for example: Brachystegia spiciformis Goncalo alves

 

The wood of Microberlinia (also known as Zebrano) is imported from central Africa, (Gabon, Cameroon, and Congo). The heartwood is a pale golden yellow, distinct from the very pale color of the sapwood and features narrow streaks of dark brown to black.

 

Microberlinia brazzavillensis is a tree in the family Fabaceae, found in West Africa. It is also called zebrano,[citation needed] zingana,[2] and allen ele,[citation needed] and is commonly sold in the US as zebrawood. The tree is tall and straight, growing up to 40 m in height with a diameter of up to 1 m. The flower has white petals and, as other legumes do, the tree produces pods.

 

Zebrawood can also be a pale brown with regular or irregular marks of dark brown in varying widths.

 

It is almost always quartersawn to get the exciting alternating color pattern.

 

It is a heavy, hard wood with a somewhat coarse texture, often with an interlocked or wavy grain. The interlocked grain of this wood, like that of many tropical woods, can make it difficult to work. It is also a decorative exotic wood, used in a limited way for veneer, wall paneling, custom furniture, furniture trim, inlay bandings, marquetry, specialty items and turnery.