Claro walnut is considered "Figured" walnut, although the two are considered different species of walnut.
Black walnut, even if it may have some figuring, but not as figured as claro.
"Claro" is a Spanish word meaning clear or bright, and the common name "claro walnut" is usually used to refer to the wood cut from the lower bole (stump) of orchard walnut trees, especially on the West coast of the US. These trees are a mixture of species, created by grafting an English walnut (Juglans regia) scion to a rootstock of one of our native walnut species, either black walnut (Juglans nigra) or California walnut (Juglans hindsii). The wood near the graft tends to be variegated in color, with beautiful marble-like, dark brown and tan swirls in the figure.
"Black Walnut":
"Claro Walnut":
