Parawood / Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis)A native of South America, rubber trees were introduced into Southeast Asia in the late 19th century. Originally cultivates solely for the latex which comes naturally from the bark, the importance of the timber from rubber plantations is today fully recognized. Most of the timber is used to manufacture furniture. Parawood is a lightweight to medium-weight hardwood. The wood is pale cream-colored, often with a pink tinge, weathering to pale straw-colored or pale brown. The wood’s grain is straight to shallowly interlocked, texture moderately coarse and even.