Chechen - Metopium brownei - is an exotic wood from Mexico and Central America. It is also known as Black Poison Wood and Poisonwood. It's color ranges from amber to dark brown, often with a range of colors and contrasting streaks. This wood is quite hard, dense, and tight-grained. With care, a beautiful, lustrous finish can be obtained. Slightly oily, but not as much as teak. An excellent furniture-making wood that is suitable for a variety of other applications. Very rot resistant. 
   The trees tend to hollow in the center as they get larger in diameter.The name Poisonwood came about becuse of its acidic sap. The sap is an acid that will burn your skin. Gumba Limbe is the antidote for the poison wood and will always be found nearby.      
   The wood has very rich brown color and can be mistaken as a member of the rosewood family.