Zebrawood (Microberlinia brazzavillensis) is a striking African hardwood known for its dramatic pale golden-yellow background with dark brown to black grain stripes, resembling a zebra's coat. It is popular for decorative veneers, furniture accents, knife handles, flooring, and turning projects.

Zebrawood features a pale golden or straw-yellow background with bold dark brown or black streaks running in a wavy or ribbon-like pattern. Quartersawing produces the most dramatic stripe effect.

Zebrawood has a Janka hardness of 1,575 lbf (7,000 N).

Zebrawood is native to the tropical forests of west-central Africa, primarily found in Cameroon, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo.

Zebrawood is primarily used as a decorative accent wood in veneers, furniture, cabinets, flooring, knife handles, pens, and woodturning. Its dramatic striped figure makes it ideal as a feature material in mixed-species projects. Solid Zebrawood furniture is also produced, though veneer is more common due to the cost of wide clear boards.

Zebrawood presents some challenges in working. It has interlocked grain that can cause tearout during planing or routing. Sharp tools, light passes, and careful grain reading are recommended.

Clear oil-based finishes, lacquers, or hardwax oils work best on Zebrawood, allowing its natural striping to remain the focal point. Staining is generally not recommended, as the open pores absorb unevenly. A sealer coat followed by light sanding and a topcoat produces the best results.

Yes, Zebrawood flooring is available and makes a dramatic statement due to its striking pattern. Its Janka hardness of 1,575 lbf provides excellent durability. Because the striping can appear busy in large floor areas, it is often used as a feature inlay or bordered strip rather than wall-to-wall flooring.