Thread: Acacia crombiei/peuce/carneorum/donaldsonii

Can't really say Runge.

general consensus is that all will turn brown with exposure to light, even when "varnished".

It would be interesting to see if a coatng of "varnish" with UV inhibitors woulc halt, or even slow the process. I'm thinking things like Feast Watson Weathershield.

PurpleHeart seems to hold its colour longer. Maybe that is bcause it is purple all the way through, whereas th "purple " Acacias only have a narrow bnad of purple.

purpleheart fading - Google Search

Looks like UV is more commonly deemed to be the culprit ...

Originally Posted by Runge

Hi Folks,

There are several purple-ish Acacias in Australia. Three of them are pretty well known: Acacia_peuce, Acacia_crombiei and Acacia_carneorum. The purple color comes from molecules called peltogynoids, among others. There's even a molecule called crombenin! Anyway, these peltogynoids are the same chemicals that make purpleheart (genus Peltogyne) purple. I have no idea what the purple coloring agent is in Acacia_donaldsonii but it is likely the same.

OK, now I need some help. How long do these Acacias hold their purple color? Is it destroyed by sunlight, air or some internal process? Are there any coatings that can be applied to the surfaces that will prolong the life of the purple color?

I can only vouch for a.crombiei in holding it's colour indefinitely - unless you leave it in the weather to grey off of course - but I suspect a.peuce will hold its colour too. Acacia crombiei heartwood is actually brown when 1st cut and only attains it's purple color as it dries out - can't see that reversing at all in any of my pieces

Originally Posted by TTIT

I can only vouch for a.crombiei in holding it's colour indefinitely - unless you leave it in the weather to grey off of course - but I suspect a.peuce will hold its colour too. Acacia crombiei heartwood is actually brown when 1st cut and only attains it's purple color as it dries out - can't see that reversing at all in any of my pieces

Thanks! I'm now a bit more optimistic about this subject.

Originally Posted by TTIT

I can only vouch for a.crombiei in holding it's colour indefinitely - unless you leave it in the weather to grey off of course - but I suspect a.peuce will hold its colour too. Acacia crombiei heartwood is actually brown when 1st cut and only attains it's purple color as it dries out - can't see that reversing at all in any of my pieces

was wondering what was going on with the piece you gave me vern, was nice and purple on the ends and when i sliced it diown the centre it was dark brown ill watch it over the next week and see how long it takes to change