The species of the genus range from south-eastern Brazil through northern South America, Panama, Costa Rica, and Trinidad, with the majority of species in the Amazon Basin. Overharvesting has caused several species to become endangered in areas where they were once abundant.
The trees are prized for their beautiful heartwood which, when cut, quickly turns from a light brown to a rich purple colour. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light darkens the wood to a brown colour with a slight hue of the original purple.
Purpleheart is prized for use in fine inlay work especially on musical instruments, guitar fret boards (Although rarely), woodturning, cabinetry, flooring, and furniture.
Purpleheart is a fairly expensive wood, which is why it is mostly used in smaller-scale projects.
