If you like exotic types of wood or are not familiar with them, this is a great video introduction to some of the more classic exotic wood varieties from different parts of the world.
Gail O’Rourke is an experienced woodworker and Cabinetmaker currently located in Massachusetts.

She does a great job of walking us through a specialty lumberyard and introducing us to a wide verity of specialty wood types as well as their practical uses.  It truly is the woodworkers candy store.

Here is a run down of the various wood types she reviews in this video:

From West Africa there’s Zebrawood – good for some decorative inlay because of its awesome wood grain pattern.

Purpleheart and Yellowheart is from tropical South America.

Jatoba or Brazillian Cherry is considered one of the hardest woods in the world.

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Two more hardwoods from Africa are Padauk and Bubinga.  Padauk is a red and orange color wood; it turns a brownish color over time.  Bubinga is a good wood for turning projects on the lathe.

Wenge from the Congo is heavy and hard; it’s an ideal hardwood for flooring and building staircases.

Spanish Cedar is great for outdoor furniture it stands up well to the weather, bugs don’t like it, and it looks great when finished.

Macacauba or Brazillian Monkeywood can be used for furniture making, and is commonly used in the making of musical instruments.

You won’t find most of these types of wood, if any, at your regular hardware store; as mentioned, she was at a specialty lumberyard.  These exotic types of wood, I would never consider using for a basic woodworking project, but it’s nice to know they are available if you ever decide to do something special.  Say like, Zebrawood for a rocking horse, wouldn’t that be cool.
 

Types Of Wood Reviewed By Gail O’Rourke