Family: Fabaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Dalbergia nigra, commonly known as Brazilian rosewood, is a large hardwood tree native to the Atlantic coastal forests of eastern Brazil. It can grow up to 100 feet tall and is known for its striking, dark brown to purplish heartwood with dramatic black streaking and a rich, sweet fragrance when cut. Because of its beauty, strength, and tonal qualities, Brazilian rosewood has long been prized for high-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, decorative woodwork, and especially musical instruments such as guitars and pianos. Its dense, durable wood makes it one of the most valued timbers in the world, though international trade is now highly restricted due to overharvesting in its native range.

Risks, Threats & Management
Although Brazilian rosewood is not known to be naturalized in Hawaii, it possesses traits that raise some concerns. As a member of the legume family, it may have the ability to fix nitrogen, potentially altering soil conditions. It produces viable seeds and grows into a large, long-lived tree, characteristics that can sometimes contribute to spread under favorable conditions. At this time, further evaluation is needed to determine whether Dalbergia nigra could establish and impact Hawaii’s ecosystems. Careful monitoring and responsible planting practices are recommended to ensure that this valuable species does not become problematic in the future.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m
  
• Related Dalbergia species have become invasive
  
• Contact with wood may cause dermatitis
  
• Shade-tolerant (may be able to invade intact forest)
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Nitrogen fixing
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, and intentionally planted by people
  
• Can resprout from cut stump
  
• Rarity within native range and missing ecological information makes accurate risk prediction difficult

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of naturalization or invasiveness to date (although this may be due to limited cultivation outside the native range)
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Valued for timber
  
• Not known to spread vegetatively
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control