Canarywood from Bolivia and Panama to southern Brazil has a swirling grain, the color is streaked rainbow hues of yellow to brown with highlights of rose-colored spots and swirls. Very dense, it weighs 6 lbs per board foot and is closed grained, sands very smooth, and holds a finish nicely. Grain is usually straight, regular, fine texture. The heartwood is yellow or orange, typically variegated.

Common uses include cabinetmaking, decorative veneer, food containers, hat racks, interior trim, marquetry, moldings, musical instruments, baskets, casks, drum sticks, fine furniture, organ pipes, and sounding boards.

Easy to work, finishes very smoothly. Turnings are very beautiful. The wood is fairly stable, not prone to cracking or warping, and holds its color. It should be treated with acetone before gluing, and mortises should be tennoned because this wood is very oily and does not glue easily.