Nazareno
Peltogyne purpurea
Native Region
Central America to northern South America
Max Height
25-40 meters
Family
Fabaceae
Conservation
VU
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-600m
Regions
- Limón
- Puntarenas
- Heredia
- Alajuela
Season
Flowering
Apr-May
Fruiting
Jul-Sep
Nazareno
The Nazareno (Peltogyne purpurea), known internationally as Purpleheart, produces one of the world's most extraordinary timbers: wood that turns a vivid, saturated purple when exposed to light and air. This magnificent emergent tree of Costa Rica's old-growth rainforests has been heavily exploited for its valuable timber and is now considered Vulnerable by conservation assessments. The Nazareno represents both the incredible botanical richness of Neotropical forests and the urgent need to protect what remains. Finding a standing Nazareno in the wild is becoming increasingly rare—a sobering reminder that beauty can be a species' curse when humans covet it.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Peltogyne purpurea
- Family
- Fabaceae (Legume Family)
- Max Height
- 25-40 m
- Trunk Diameter
- Up to 1 m
- Conservation
- Vulnerable
- Key Feature
- Vivid purple heartwood
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
500
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from the iNaturalist citizen science database. View all observations →↗
Taxonomy and Classification
- Peltogyne: Greek "pelte" (shield) + "gyne" (female) - shield-shaped pistil - purpurea: Latin for "purple" - the heartwood color - "Nazareno": Spanish religious reference (purple robes of Nazarene) - "Purpleheart": Direct reference to wood color - About 25 species in genus, mostly South American
Common Names
| Language/Region | Common Name(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish (CR) | Nazareno | Standard |
| English | Purpleheart | International timber name |
| English | Violetwood | Alternative |
| Portuguese | Pau Roxo, Amarante | Brazilian names |
| Spanish | Mora Morada, Tananeo | Regional variations |
| Trade | Amaranth | Sometimes used |
The Peltogyne Genus
| Species | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| P. purpurea | Central America | Costa Rica's species |
| P. venosa | South America | Brazilian purpleheart |
| P. floribunda | Amazon Basin | Similar wood |
| P. paniculata | Northern South America | Commercial timber |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Nazareno is a large canopy emergent tree with a tall, straight trunk and a spreading crown that reaches above the surrounding forest. Mature trees develop impressive buttresses at the base. The trunk is cylindrical and can grow remarkably straight—one of the reasons the timber is so valuable.
Distinguishing Features
Leaves
- Type: Compound, bifoliate (2 leaflets!)
- Leaflets: Distinctive paired, asymmetrical
- Size: 5-12 cm each leaflet
- Texture: Leathery, glossy
- Unique: Two-leaflet compound leaf is diagnostic
Bark
- Color: Gray to reddish-brown
- Texture: Rough, somewhat scaly
- Inner bark: Reddish
- Buttresses: Well-developed in mature trees
The Legendary Wood
- Fresh cut: Brown-gray initially
- Exposed: Turns vivid PURPLE
- Mechanism: Oxidation of extractives
- Final color: Deep purple-violet
- Density: Very heavy (900-1100 kg/m³)
- Durability: Extremely resistant
Flowers and Fruit
- Flowers: Small, white, in panicles
- Fruit: Flat pod, single-seeded
- Pod size: 3-5 cm
- Seed: Flat, hard
The purple color of Nazareno wood is a remarkable phenomenon: How It Happens: 1. Freshly cut heartwood is dull grayish-brown 2. Exposure to light and air begins oxidation 3. Extractive compounds undergo chemical change 4. Color shifts to vivid purple within hours to days 5. Maximum purple intensity reached Color Stability: - Intense purple initially - Slowly darkens over years - Eventually becomes deep brownish-purple - UV finishes can slow this process The Compounds: Pterostilbenes and related compounds create the color. These also make the wood extremely rot-resistant.
The Timber
One of the World's Most Prized Woods
Purpleheart Timber Properties
Nazareno wood is extraordinary: Physical Properties: - Specific gravity: 0.86-1.05 - Janka hardness: 2,520 lbf (extremely hard) - Grain: Straight to interlocked - Texture: Medium to fine Working Characteristics: - Difficult to work (very hard) - Dulls tools quickly - Can be tricky to glue (oils) - Takes excellent finish - Turns beautifully Durability: - Class 1 durability (exceptional) - Highly resistant to rot - Resistant to insects - Can last decades outdoors Uses: - Fine furniture - Flooring (heavy traffic) - Decorative accents - Musical instruments - Tool handles - Artisanal crafts - Boat building
Market and Conservation Tension
The very qualities that make Nazareno valuable have led to its decline: Market Factors: - High demand for exotic hardwoods - Premium prices internationally - Illegal logging pressure - Slow regeneration The Problem: - Large trees are targeted first - Best genetics removed from population - Long time to maturity (80+ years) - Regeneration difficult Current Status: - Legally protected in Costa Rica - Listed as Vulnerable (IUCN) - Wild populations declining - Plantation trials ongoing Every piece of purpleheart carries an ecological cost.
Distribution and Habitat
Global Distribution
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
| Province | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puntarenas (Osa) | Rare, Protected | Primary remaining population |
| Limón | Very Rare | Heavily logged historically |
| Alajuela | Rare | Some protected areas |
| Heredia (lowlands) | Historic | Mostly logged out |
| Guanacaste | Absent | Too dry |
The Osa Peninsula is Costa Rica's most important remaining habitat for Nazareno: - Corcovado National Park: Protected population - Adjacent reserves: Some remaining trees - Golfo Dulce area: Historic range Even here, illegal logging has taken a toll. Park rangers actively protect remaining trees.
Habitat Preferences
- Elevation: Sea level to 600 m
- Climate: Wet tropical
- Rainfall: 3,000-6,000 mm/year
- Forest type: Lowland primary rainforest
- Position: Canopy emergent
- Soil: Well-drained, various types
- Associates: Mixed hardwood forest
Ecological Role
In the Forest Ecosystem
Structural Role
- Canopy emergent: Creates forest structure
- Seed producer: Food for wildlife
- Nitrogen fixation: As legume, enriches soil
- Habitat: Large tree supports many species
Wildlife Interactions
- Seed dispersal: Agoutis, other rodents
- Canopy habitat: Birds, monkeys
- Insect community: Host tree
- Cavity nesting: Old trees provide homes
Conservation Status
A Tree in Trouble
The Nazareno faces serious conservation challenges: IUCN Status: Vulnerable (A2cd) Population Trend: Decreasing Threats: 1. Selective logging (primary threat) 2. Habitat loss (deforestation) 3. Slow regeneration (long maturity time) 4. Illegal trade (high timber value) Protection Measures: - Listed on CITES Appendix II (some species) - Protected under Costa Rican law - Present in national parks - Plantation research ongoing Challenges: - Enforcement difficult in remote areas - High market value drives poaching - Genetic resources being lost
Conservation Efforts
| Initiative | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Legal protection | Costa Rican forestry law | In effect |
| National parks | Corcovado, others | Active protection |
| Plantation trials | Cultivation research | Ongoing |
| Seed banking | Genetic preservation | Limited |
| Community forestry | Sustainable management | Developing |
Cultivation and Restoration
Growing Nazareno
Identification Guide
How to Identify Nazareno
Diagnostic Feature: The bifoliate compound leaf (two leaflets only) is nearly diagnostic. Few other large trees have this leaf type.
Other Identifiers:
- Large emergent tree
- Buttressed base
- Gray-brown rough bark
- Two-leaflet compound leaves (key!)
- Small white flowers in panicles
If Cut (illegal to do!):
- Heartwood turns purple on exposure
Where to See Nazareno in Costa Rica
| Location | Context | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corcovado National Park | Protected forest | Best remaining population |
| Piedras Blancas NP | Golfo Dulce area | Some specimens |
| Private reserves (Osa) | Conservation areas | Limited access |
| Botanical gardens | Cultivated specimens | Easier to view |
Seeing a wild Nazareno requires effort: Best Approach: - Visit Corcovado National Park - Hire a knowledgeable guide - Multi-day trek increases chances
- Sirena station area has good forest What to Look For: - Large emergent trees - Distinctive two-leaflet leaves - Ask guides to identify Ethical Considerations: - Never reveal locations publicly (poaching risk) - Support conservation efforts - Report any logging activity Finding a big Nazareno in the wild is increasingly rare— treasure the experience if you do.
External Resources
Community observations
Conservation assessments
International trade regulations
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
IUCN (2020). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN
Chudnoff, M. (1984). Tropical Timbers of the World. USDA Forest Service
Jiménez, Q. (1999). Árboles Maderables en Peligro de Extinción en Costa Rica. INBio
The Nazareno stands as both marvel and cautionary tale. Here is a tree that performs biological alchemy—transforming mundane brown wood into vivid purple through nothing but exposure to air, a trick of chemistry that has captivated humans for centuries. That remarkable purple has been the tree's glory and its curse. Because we wanted that color—for our furniture, our floors, our decorative objects—we hunted the Nazareno across its range, taking the biggest and best until what remains are fragments of what once was. Today, finding a large Nazareno in the wild requires journeying to Costa Rica's most remote forests and even there, the logger's chainsaw has left its mark. The Nazareno teaches us that biological wonder comes with responsibility. We can admire the purple wood—but we must also ask at what cost it came, and what we're willing to do to ensure that future generations can walk through a forest and look up at a living Nazareno, not just down at a purple floor.
