Caesalpinia sappan

Caesalpinia sappan
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Genus:	Caesalpinia
Species:	C. sappan
Binomial name
Caesalpinia sappan L.

Caesalpinia sappan is a species of flowering tree in the legume family, Fabaceae, that is native to Southeast Asia and the Malay archipelago. Common names include Sappanwood, Sapanwood, and Suou (Japanese). Sappanwood belongs to the same genus as Brazilwood (C. echinata), and was originally called "brezel wood" in Europe.

This plant has many uses. It possesses medicinal abilities as an anti-bacterial and for its anti-coagulant properties. It also produces a valued type of reddish dye called brazilin, used for dyeing fabric as well as making red paints and inks. The wood is somewhat lighter in color than Brazilwood and its other allies, but the same tinctorial principle appears to be common to all.

Sappanwood was a major trade good during the 17th century, when it was exported from Southeast Asian nations (especially Siam) aboard red seal ships to Japan.

References

1. ^ "Caesalpinia sappan". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. 1998. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/34641. Retrieved February 11, 2010. 

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

External links

Trees portal

Media related to Caesalpinia sappan at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Caesalpinia sappan at Wikispecies