Pink Ivory

Pink Ivory is a vibrantly colored, rich, and exceptional wood that is widely regarded as one of the world's rarest woods. If you weren't a Zulu king, having the wood was once punishable by death. Tree heights range from 20-35 feet tall, with diameters ranging from 6" to 12" and resembling brush more than a typical tree. Because of its diminutive size, the yield is low, adding to the species' rarity. A huge board that is free of faults after sawing and drying could be as large as 24" long x 2-4" wide x 1" thick. The southeastern African lowlands are littered with pink ivory. The gorgeous watermelon pinkish-red color is only produced by the heartwood.

Until the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, pink ivory was the Zulu people's royal tree, and only members of the royal family were allowed to own it. Prior to the Anglo-Zulu War, the Zulu king would wield a pink ivory knob kerry, a stick with a knob on one end, and wear pink ivory jewelry.
The fruit of the pink ivory tree is a delectable yellow, brownish, reddish, or purplish drupe. Other portions of the tree have been utilized as cures and medications in the past.