Cocobolo
Dalbergia retusa
Native Region
Mexico to Panama
Max Height
15-25 meters (50-80 feet)
Family
Fabaceae
Conservation
CR
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-600m
Regions
- Guanacaste
- Puntarenas
- Alajuela
Season
Flowering
Apr-Jun
Fruiting
Jul-Sep
Cocobolo (Central American Rosewood)
The Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa), one of the world's most spectacular and valuable rosewoods, is a treasure of Central American dry forests—and a species in crisis. Its stunning wood, with swirling patterns of orange, red, yellow, and black, has commanded prices of $100-300 per board foot and has been sought by craftsmen for centuries. This demand has driven the species to Critically Endangered status with heavy logging continuing. CITES protection now regulates international trade, but enforcement remains challenging.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Dalbergia retusa
- Family
- Fabaceae (Legume Family)
- Max Height
- 15-25 m (50-80 ft)
- Wood Density
- 1.0-1.2 g/cm³ (sinks in water)
- Conservation
- Critically Endangered (IUCN)
- Trade
- CITES Appendix II
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
350
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's community science database. Browse all observations →↗
Taxonomy & Classification
The genus Dalbergia contains about 250 species of trees and shrubs, many producing the world's most valuable hardwoods known collectively as "rosewoods." Dalbergia species are found in tropical regions worldwide, with different species prized in different cultures—Brazilian Rosewood, Indian Rosewood, African Blackwood, and Central American Cocobolo among the most famous.
Common Names
| Language | Common Name(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Cocobolo, Cocobola | Most widely used name |
| English | Cocobolo, Central American Rosewood | Trade and common names |
| Spanish (Costa Rica) | Cocobolo, Ñambar | Regional variations |
| Trade | Nambar, Granadillo | Historical trade names |
| German | Kokoboloholz | German woodworking term |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Cocobolo is a medium-sized tree of dry forests, typically growing with a short, often crooked trunk and irregular crown. It is deciduous, losing leaves in the dry season. The tree's value lies in its heartwood, which develops the spectacular colors that have made it famous.
Distinctive Features
Trunk & Bark
- Trunk: Usually short, often irregular
- Bark: Gray-brown, rough, fissured
- Heartwood: Spectacular multicolored
- Sapwood: Creamy white (distinct)
- Growth: Slow, irregular
Leaves
- Type: Pinnately compound
- Leaflets: 7-15, alternate on rachis
- Shape: Ovate to elliptic
- Size: Leaflets 3-6 cm
- Deciduous: Loses leaves in dry season
Flowers
- Type: Papilionaceous (pea-like)
- Color: Yellow to orange
- Size: Small, 8-12 mm
- Arrangement: Racemes in leaf axils
- Timing: End of dry season
Fruits & Seeds
- Type: Flat legume pod
- Size: 5-10 cm long
- Seeds: 1-3 per pod
- Color: Brown when mature
- Dispersal: Wind, gravity
The Wood
Why Cocobolo is Prized
Cocobolo is considered by many to be the most beautiful wood in the world. Its combination of properties makes it virtually unmatched: - Color: Ranges from bright orange and red to deep purple-black - Figure: Dramatic grain patterns, often with swirls and flames - Density: So dense it sinks in water - Workability: Takes an incredible natural polish - Durability: Extremely rot and insect resistant - Oil content: High natural oils make it nearly waterproof A single high-quality Cocobolo log can be worth thousands of dollars.
Wood Properties
| Property | Value | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.00-1.20 g/cm³ | Among the densest woods |
| Janka Hardness | 2,960 lbf | Harder than most rosewoods |
| Bending Strength | High | Excellent for handles |
| Natural Oils | Very High | Self-lubricating |
| Rot Resistance | Exceptional | Lasts decades outdoors |
| Allergenic Potential | High | Can cause dermatitis |
Traditional & Modern Uses
| Category | Applications | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Musical Instruments | Guitar backs, fingerboards, clarinets | Superb acoustic properties |
| Knife Handles | Custom knives, tools | Beauty, durability, grip |
| Fine Furniture | Inlays, accent pieces | Often too expensive for whole pieces |
| Turned Objects | Pens, bowls, art | Takes exceptional polish |
| Game Pieces | Chess sets, pool cues | Traditional luxury use |
| Traditional Medicine | Bark and root decoctions | Indigenous remedies |
Cocobolo wood dust can cause severe allergic reactions in many people, including skin rashes, respiratory problems, and eye irritation. Woodworkers should use excellent dust collection, respirators, and protective equipment. Sensitivity can develop over time with repeated exposure.
Distribution & Habitat
Native Range
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
Cocobolo is native to Costa Rica's Pacific dry forests, from Guanacaste south to the Central Pacific region. It has been heavily logged throughout its range and is now uncommon in the wild.
| Province | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste | Rare (depleted) | Historical stronghold, heavily logged |
| Puntarenas | Rare | Pacific slope dry forests |
| San José | Very Rare | Few remnant populations |
| Alajuela | Very Rare | Scattered individuals |
Preferred Habitat
- Elevation: Sea level to 500 m (rarely to 1,000 m)
- Climate: Tropical dry forest
- Rainfall: 1,000-2,000 mm (with 4-6 month dry season)
- Temperature: 24-32°C
- Soil: Well-drained, tolerates poor soils
- Light: Full sun (pioneer/secondary species)
- Topography: Often on slopes, ridges
Conservation Status
A Species in Crisis
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered (population decreasing) CITES: Appendix II (all Dalbergia species) Since 2017, ALL Dalbergia species have been included in CITES Appendix II, meaning international trade requires permits and documentation. This was in response to catastrophic logging of rosewood species worldwide, with Asian demand driving a logging crisis across the tropics.
Threat Assessment
Primary Threats
- Illegal Logging: Continues despite regulations
- Habitat Loss: Dry forest conversion to agriculture
- Slow Growth: Cannot sustain harvest pressure
- High Value: Economic incentive for poaching
- Poor Enforcement: Limited resources for protection
Population Status
- Wild Trees: Severely depleted
- Large Trees: Extremely rare
- Regeneration: Limited in remaining habitat
- Genetic Diversity: Concerns about bottlenecks
- Protected Populations: Few secure locations
Conservation Timeline
Ecological Significance
Dry Forest Ecosystem
Part of a Threatened Ecosystem
Cocobolo is endemic to the Mesoamerican dry forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. Less than 2% of original Central American dry forest remains intact. By protecting Cocobolo, we protect the entire dry forest ecosystem—its unique wildlife, other endemic plants, and the ecological services these forests provide including watershed protection and carbon storage.
Wildlife Interactions
Pollinators
- Bees: Primary pollinators
- Other Insects: Various visitors
- Timing: Flowers in dry season
Seed Dispersal
- Wind: Flat pods catch breeze
- Gravity: Fall beneath parent tree
- Germination: Requires disturbance/light
Ecosystem Role
- Nitrogen Fixation: Legume root nodules
- Dry Season Resource: Flowers when little else does
- Wildlife Habitat: Cavity nesting, foraging substrate
- Soil Building: Deep roots, leaf litter
Cultivation & Restoration
Growing Cocobolo
Propagation
From Seeds
- Collect ripe pods before they open
- Extract seeds from pods
- Scarify (nick seed coat) or hot water treatment
- Sow in well-drained media
- Germination in 1-4 weeks
- Full sun from start
Growth Characteristics
- Slow growth (30-50 cm/year height)
- May take 60-80+ years for harvestable size
- Responds to management (pruning, spacing)
Growing Conditions
- Sun: Full sun essential
- Soil: Well-drained, tolerates poor soils
- Water: Drought tolerant; no waterlogging
- Spacing: 6-10 m for plantations
- Frost: Tropical only; frost sensitive
- pH: 5.5-7.5
Plantation Potential
- Being developed for sustainable production
- Requires long-term investment (50+ years)
- High-value crop for patient investors
- Supports conservation by reducing wild pressure
Planting Cocobolo is an act of intergenerational faith. A tree planted today may not produce harvestable wood for 60-100 years. But as wild populations dwindle, plantation-grown Cocobolo offers the only sustainable path forward for this magnificent species and the craftsmen who work with it.
Identification Guide
How to Identify Cocobolo
Definitive Characteristics:
- Pinnately compound leaves with 7-15 leaflets
- Deciduous (bare in dry season)
- Gray-brown fissured bark
- Yellow pea-like flowers (when flowering)
- Flat brown seed pods
- Dry forest habitat in Pacific lowlands
Where to See Cocobolo in Costa Rica
| Location | Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Área de Conservación Guanacaste | Protected area | Some remaining trees |
| Santa Rosa National Park | Self-guided | Dry forest habitat, scattered trees |
| Private reserves | By arrangement | Some conservation plantings |
| Botanical gardens | Public access | Cultivated specimens |
| Rural Guanacaste | Roadside | Occasional trees on farms |
Cocobolo is now rare in the wild. You are more likely to encounter the wood in craft shops than the tree in forests. If you do find a wild tree, please do not reveal the location publicly—poaching remains a serious threat.
Responsible Wood Sourcing
Ethical Considerations
If you purchase Cocobolo wood or products: - Demand documentation: Legal CITES permits, chain of custody - Ask questions: Where was this harvested? Is it plantation grown? - Consider alternatives: Other beautiful woods exist - Support plantations: Sustainably grown is the future - Report suspicious sources: Illegal logging is a crime The best way to appreciate Cocobolo may be through vintage pieces, certified plantation wood, or small legally-sourced amounts for special projects.
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Official trade regulations
Conservation assessment
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
CITES (2017). CoP17 Proposal: Dalbergia (all species). CITES Appendix Amendments
Jenkins, M., et al. (2012). The Illegal Rosewood Trade. TRAFFIC Report
Cordero, J. & Boshier, D.H. (2003). Árboles de Centroamérica. OFI/CATIE
The Cocobolo's story is both a warning and an opportunity. The warning: that even abundant species can be driven to rarity when demand outstrips sustainable supply. The opportunity: that with protection, responsible management, and plantation development, we can still save this magnificent tree and the tradition of fine craftsmanship it supports. Every conservation-minded purchase, every planted seedling, every enforced regulation helps secure the Cocobolo's future.
