Formation of Ebony and Streaked Woods

Abstract

Samples of 175 Diospyros species were examined with 27 containing some ebonised wood which was rarely uniformly jet black. Ebony is commonly composed of a series of axial and alternating black and paler streaks, often in characteristic patterns as in D. celebica. Large amounts of black non-structural deposits first appear in vessels, then fibres, and the origin of these materials could not be found. Deposits were absent from the axial and ray parenchyma of the paler streaks. Crystals were present in some species. Fungi have been detected in tissues adjacent to ebonised wood which appears to be formed differently from normal heartwood.

Formation of Robinetin Crystals in Vessels of Intsia Species

“…The deposits first become evident in the vessels of the sapwood adjacent to the streaks but deposits in the rays of the streaks of some Diospyros spp. are absent (Hillis & Soenardi 1994;Hillis 1995). The thin coloured streaks in some species cannot be associated with signs of injury.…”

Norbergenin Derivatives from Diospyros crassiflora (Ebenaceae)

“…Previous phytochemical studies on this plant have resulted in the isolation and characterization of new coumarins, namely crassiflorone, diosfeboside A and diosfeboside B [8,9]. In continuation of this study, we investigated the chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of the stems of D. crassiflora, which led to the isolation of three new norbergenin derivatives (1)(2)(3), along with ten known compounds (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). This paper deals with the structural elucidation of the new compounds, as well as the preliminary evaluation of the antioxidant properties of some isolates, especially of their ability to protect PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide induced injury.…”

“…Both bark and leaves are used to treat wounds [3,4]. D. crassiflora produced a valuable timber known as black ebony and, in the past few years, its over exploitation drove this species into a risk of extinction [1,5]. Recently, it was reported that extracts of leaves of D. crassiflora possessed antifungal, antimycobacterial and antigonorrhoeal activities [6,7].…”

“…The activity induced by these compounds was related to the galloyl group they both carry on the norbergenin nucleus. Indeed, norbergenin (5) and the new compound (3) without the galloyl group did not show any protective activity against H 2 O 2 induced PC12 cell death at concentrations of 0.1-10 µM. Amongst the active compounds, compound 7, with one galloyl group at C-11 of norbergenin, displayed a protective effect at all concentrations tested, while 2 and 6, having the same galloyl group at C-3 and C-4, respectively, were active only at 10 µM.…”

Use and sustainability of wood in acoustic guitars: An overview based on the global market

“…The two most notable examples found are “ebony” and “rosewood”. The term “ebony” has been long referred to the genus Diospyros [ 30 ], which comprises over 700 species of which it is estimated that only about 30 yield timber of commercial interest [ 39 ]. However, the term is frequently used for dark-colored heavy and hard timbers belonging to other genera too [ 40 ].…”