![]() The tree is also known by other names,such as Ibirapitanga, Tupi for "red wood" or pau de pernambuco, named after the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. The term "brazilwood" is most often used to refer to the species Paubrasilia echinata, but it is also applied to other species, such as Caesalpinia sappan and Haematoxylum brasiletto. ![]() Such a vigorous trade resulted from the woods that early sailors and merchants started referring to the land itself as Terra do Brasil, or simply, the "Land of Brazil", and from this use the present name of Brazil was derived.īotanically, several tree species are involved, all in the family Fabaceae (the pulse family). The South American trees soon dominated trading as a better source of dye. The Portuguese named these trees pau-brasil, the term pau meaning wood, and brasil meaning reddish/ember-like. When Portuguese explorers found Paubrasilia on the coast of South America, they recognised it as a relative of an Asian species of sappanwood already used in Europe for producing red dye. The name of Brazil is a shortened form of Terra do Brasil, 'land of brazilwood'. The Latin specific epithet of echinata refers to hedgehog, from echinus, and describes the thorns which cover all parts of the tree (including the fruits). More recent taxonomic studies have suggested that it merits recognition as a separate genus, and it was thus renamed Paubrasilia echinata in 2016. The name pau-brasil was applied to certain species of the genus Caesalpinia in the medieval period, and was given its original scientific name Caesalpinia echinata in 1785 by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. The wood also yields a historically important red dye called brazilin, which oxidizes to brazilein. This plant has a dense, orange-red heartwood that takes a high shine, and it is the premier wood used for making bows for stringed instruments. It is a Brazilian timber tree commonly known as Pernambuco wood or brazilwood ( Portuguese: pau-de-pernambuco, pau-brasil Tupi: Ibirapitanga ) and is the national tree of Brazil. Paubrasilia echinata is a species of flowering plant in the legume family, Fabaceae, that is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. So it is advised that the wood workers should be provided with proper equipment to ensure the safety of the workers while being employed.(( Lam.) Gagnon, H.C.Lima & G.P.Lewis 2016) Purpleheart has also been reported to cause nausea. Usually, most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation. Purpleheart has been reported as a sensitizer. Being resistant to decaying with age and resistant to the attack of insects and pests like the marine borers, these woods can last for a very long time.Īlthough this tree has not yet reported to cause any form of severe reactions. One of the best things about this wood is that it is being crowned as a very durable wood. As it is straight to moderately grained and textured it takes a toll on cutters and machines with continuous use and eventually dull them. This tree does pose certain challenges while working with it. This tree when freshly cut portrays a dull greyish color and slowly develops into a deeper and royal purple color when exposed properly to sunlight. This tree reaches up to a massive height of 100ft. These tropical rainforest trees can most commonly be found in the rainforests of Brazil, Suriname and Guyana. Belonging to the Peltogyne species this wood descends from the territories of central and South America. It is understood from the name of the wood we are dealing with here the wood can bring a touch of royalty to the space.
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