| Name | Blackbean (Castanospermum australe) |
| Type | Hardwood. |
| Other Names | Also known as Moreton Bay bean, Moreton Bay chestnut, and beantree. |
| Sources | Grows in Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland. |
| Appearance | Typically straight grained, sometimes slightly interlocked with a coarse, uneven texture and a “greasy” feel. Narrow, chocolate-brown heartwood, often with darker streaks (turning almost black with age) and yellowish white sapwood. |
| Physical Props | Moderately heavy and tough with medium strength, low stiffness and shock resistance, high decay resistance, and medium movement in service. Not suitable for steam bending due to its brittleness. |
| Working Props | Can be difficult to machine due to minerals in wood. Turns well. Greasy nature can complicate gluing. Screws and nails well and polishes to an excellent finish. |
| Uses | Valued for high-end furniture, cabinetry, interior joinery, decorative veneer, carving, and turned items such as brushbacks, tool handles, dowels, and chair parts. Also suitable for switch boards and electrical fittings due to its good insulating properties. |
