Paubrasilia
Paubrasilia echinata | |
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An adult specimen in a park in Florianópolis, Brazil. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Genus: | Paubrasilia (Gagnon, H.C.Lima & G.P.Lewis 2016) |
Species: | P. echinata
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Binomial name | |
Paubrasilia echinata | |
Synonyms[3] | |
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Paubrasilia echinata is a species of
The name pau-brasil was applied to certain species of the
The name of Brazil is a shortened form of Terra do Brasil, 'land of brazilwood'.[11]
Name
When
Botanically, several tree species are involved, all in the family
In the bow-making business it is usual to refer to some species other than Paubrasilia echinata as "brazilwood"; examples include pink ipê (Handroanthus impetiginosus), Massaranduba (Manilkara bidentata) and palo brasil (Haematoxylum brasiletto). The highly prized Paubrasilia echinata is usually called "Pernambuco wood" in this particular context.
Description
The brazilwood tree may reach up to 15 metres (49 ft) in height, and the dark brown bark flakes in large patches, revealing the lustrous blood-red sapwood underneath. The leaves are pinnate and each consists of between 9 and 19 small, leathery leaflets, which are broadly oblong in shape.[12] The flower stalk, or inflorescence, is also branched and contains between 15 and 40 yellow, strongly perfumed flowers,[12] which may be pollinated by bees.[12] The petals are usually yellow with a blood-red blotch.[12] The fruits are oval-shaped woody seedpods, measuring up to 7.3 centimetres (2.9 in) long and 2.6 centimetres (1.0 in) across; they hang off the branches and after the seeds are expelled, the pods become twisted.[12] The branches, leaves and fruit are covered with small thorns.[12]
There are some important differences between geographically distinct populations and it is thought that separate subspecies of the pau brasil may exist.[12] This tree may have some medicinal properties and has been used as an astringent and antidiuretic by local people; extracts have been tested as possible cancer treatments.[12]
Historical importance
Starting in the 16th century, brazilwood became highly valued in Europe
Excessive harvesting
Excessive harvesting led to a steep decrease in the number of brazilwood trees in the 18th century, causing the collapse of this economic activity. Presently, the species is nearly
The trade of brazilwood is likely to be banned in the immediate future,[
Replanting efforts
Restoration of the species in the wild is hampered by the fact that it is a climax community species, which will develop well only when planted amongst secondary forest vegetation.[15] Although many saplings have been distributed or sold during recent decades, that has led to the tree being planted in places outside its natural range, with somewhat poor results, such as happens with brazilwood trees used for urban landscaping in the city of São Paulo, whose development and flowering is usually hampered by the colder environment.[16]
Gallery
References
This article incorporates text from the
- . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Paubrasilia echinata". Flora do Brasil 2020 - Algae, Fungi and Plants. Institute of Research Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ PMID 28814915.
- hdl:10568/90658.
- ^ S2CID 134437366.
- ^ a b "Paubrasilia echinata". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ISSN 0928-1541.
- PMID 25893688.
- ISBN 9780881926279.
- ^ "Brazilwood: A Brief History". University of Minnesota Libraries. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lewis, G.P. (1998). Caesalpinia: a revision of the Poincianella-Erythrostemon Group. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens.
- doi:10.7301/Z0VH5MBT.
- ^ Smithsonian, April 2004, cover story
- ^ Cf. Backes, P. & Irgang, B., Mata Atlântica: as árvores e a paisagem (Atlantic Reinforest: its trees and landscape), Porto Alegre, Paisagem do Sul, 2004, page 228
- ^ Cf. Árvores de São Paulo — O pau-brasil está frutificando na cidade, Ricardo Cardim 15 December 2009 blog entry; "Coisa rara no clima paulistano, as inúmeras árvores de pau-brasil (Caesalipinia echinata) plantadas pela cidade estão frutificando abundantemente." (in exceptional circumstances, however, brazilwood may flower in São Paulo) (in Portuguese)
External links
Data related to Paubrasilia at Wikispecies
- Paubrasilia media from ARKive
- Saving the Music Tree
- About Pernambuco Wood from a bowmaker's website.
- USDA Plants Profile: Caesalpinia echinata
- Flora Brasiliensis: Caesalpinia echinata (in Portuguese)
- Instituto de Pesquisas e Estudos Florestais: Caesalpinia echinata (in Portuguese)