A genus of tropical West African trees that produce hardwood used in furniture and construction.
From Yoruba and other West African languages, borrowed during European colonial contact with Africa. The word entered English scientific nomenclature in the 18th century for the tree and its timber.
Guarea wood is so dense and beautiful that it was heavily exploited for Victorian furniture, driving some species toward rarity—it's a perfect example of how global trade and taste shaped which trees survive today.
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