A wood species must be in the same genus in order to be considered related in this field. Hence, some woods that seem to be related, such as African Mahogany and Honduran Mahogany, will not be listed because they belong to different genera (Khaya and Swietenia, respectively). Likewise, other woods that seem completely unrelated, such as Narra and Padauk, will show up as related species since they are both from the same genus (Pterocarpus).
Some exceptions to this rule are made: for instance, if two woods are very similar in appearance and working properties, and are in closely related genera within the same family, they may be listed as related. An example of this is Lignum Vitae and Argentine Lignum Vitae, which are in different genera, but both belong to the Zygophyllaceae family.
Try a comparison with Tasmanian Myrtle. I have worked with Myrtle over many decades and note it has a distinct aroma. A few years ago i imported some Tineo from Germany – grown in Argentina. It was imposible to tell the two woods apart- right down to the telltale smell. The only difference was the occassional dark line markings in the Tineo. Woods that grow on different continents may in fact be closely related – for example – Acacia Koa in Hawaii and Acacia melanoxylon in Australia. The variation in Acacia Melanoxylon is great – more-so than the differences in… Read more »