Summary The ipê trees belonging to the genus Handroanthus are among the most exploited species in the Amazon Forest. However, limitations in the wood identification processes can lead to an overexploitation of a single species. We compare, macroscopically, the wood anatomy of five Amazon Handroanthus species (H. barbatus, H. capitatus, H. impetiginosus, H. incanus and H. serratifolius–Bignoniaceae). Except for H. barbatus the species are trees over 20 m tall and are used commercially. We compared leaf morphology of the two most commercially used species (H. impetiginosus and H. serratifolius), aiming to separate them in the field with identification keys. For wood macroscopical analyses, 55 samples were used; the specimens were obtained in the field and from wood collections. The dichotomous key, preferable to be used in a laboratory, enables the distinction of the five species. However, the use of this key requires more knowledge about wood anatomy, since it was necessary to use more quantitative characteristics, due to the great intraspecific variation in Handroanthus woods, also reflected in the PCA (principal components analysis) and grouping analysis. To identify the plant species H. impetiginosus and H. serratifolius, the use of axial parenchyma type and vessel characteristics were important distinguishing factors, while in leaves, the most significant features were characteristics such as leaf margin, trichomes and domatia. In addition, by focusing on these key features, a multiple access identification key was created, which simplified the identification by reducing the number of characteristics necessary for the identification, facilitating its use in the field.