Avodire

Botanical Name: Turreanthus africanus
Considered to be one of the world's best quality blond woods, avodire rarely is available in large quantities. It normally comes to North America as veneer, which possesses an attractive mottled pattern, that is used in fine cabinetmaking and paneling.
Other Names: African satinwood, African white mahogany, apeya (Ghana); apaya (Nigeria); engan (Cameroon); lusamba (Zaire); agbe (Ivory coast); esu (Congo); African furniture wood, olon.
Sources: West and Equatorial Africa.
Characteristics: Light, strong wood; mainly straight grain but can be wavy or interlocked; medium to fine texture; golden yellow.
Uses: Cabinetwork, veneers, marquetry and plywood.
Workability: Fair; increase blade angle when planing as interlocked grain tends to cause tearout; poor bending properties; pre-bore for nailing.
Finishing: Generally good.
Weight: 36 lb./cu. ft.
Price; Expensive.