Black Palm comes from the tough outer rings of the palm tree native to Australia, South Asia and Central America.  It is the densest member of the grass family and is basically a bundle of small straw that are fibrous. There are not many growth rings that are visible.

The wood has a distinctive streaked or speckled pattern, with a deep brown backdrop and flecks of black. The wood is difficult to work but can produce some very nice pens, bottle stoppers and end grain matched inlayed box tops. It is hard and extremely durable.