Palisander rosewood, also known as cocobolo, is a medium-sized tropical tree that grows to heights of up to 25 m (82 ft).
This species provides one of the most beautiful and valuable woods in the world.
Its growth pattern varies, being tall and straight depending on the habitat. Given its great beauty and high value, this species has been widely exploited.
This species is adapted to different climatic patterns, ranging from 900 to 4,000 mm of precipitation and temperatures from 24 to 32°C. It thrives in a wide variety of soil types with different textures, drainage, and fertility levels, including soils with neutral to acidic pH, and can grow in environments ranging from flat terrains to rocky slopes.
D. retusa is particularly well-adapted to very clay-rich soils and acidic vertisols under dry conditions, with an annual precipitation range of 1,300 to 1,500 mm/year. It demonstrates strong resistance, excellent participation in natural succession, and an acceptable growth rate for trees of the species under natural conditions.
The wood is extremely dense, with a density of 1,095 kg/m³. This makes it much denser than, for example, Swietenia macrophylla (590 kg/m³). It is a heavy hardwood, with a heartwood density of 0.75 ± 0.04 g/cm³, ranging from 0.89 to 1.0–1.35 g/cm³.
