Purple Heart grows in Central and South America, from Colombia to Brazil, where it is used to build bridges, abuttments, fine furniture, and floors. Trees grow to heights of 170 feet with diameters to 4 feet. It is brown colored when freshly cut but oxidizes to a violet purple and is hard, heavy, and finely textured. The grain is usually straight, often with a fine, curly figure. There is considerable variation in color, texture and density among the species. The purple color is fugitive, changing to a dark brown patina with age.

Its uses include turnery, marquetry, cabinets, fine furniture, parquet flooring, tool handles, heavy construction, shipbuilding, and many specialty items (billiard cue butts, chemical vats, and carving).

Purple Heart is an extremely dense, hard wood that requires sharp tools and patience, but the results can be stunning. The wood is moderately difficult to work with either hand or machine tools, dulls cutters, exudes a gummy resin when heated by dull tools; slow feed rates and specially hardened cutters are suggested. It turns smoothly, is easy to glue, and takes finishes well.