Caesalpinia echinata Lam

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Caesalpinia echinata is a species of Brazilian timber tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. Common names include Brazilwood, Pernambuco tree (Portuguese: Pau-Brasil, Pau de Pernambuco; Tupi Ibirapitanga). 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. The wood also yields a red dye called brazilin, which oxidizes to brazilein.

The name pau-brasil (Middle Latin lignum brasilium) was applied to other species of Caesalpinia in the medieval period, and transferred to Caesalpinia echinata in the 16th century. The name of Brazil is shortened from Terra do Brasil "land of brazilwood".