Caesalpinia

thumb|Violin bow
MFA# 1987.23

Description

Trees of the Caesalpinia genus, such as Brazilwood and Divi-divi, that are native to tropical America and southeast Asia. Wood from the Caesalpinia trees is a deep red color. It is used for fine furniture and musical instruments. Red dyes are also extracted from the wood.

Caesalpinia tree (divi-divi) on Aruba

Synonyms and Related Terms

bois du Brésil (Fr.); bois de Pernambouc (Fr.); pernambouc (Fr.); poinciana; Brazilwood; divi-divi

Resources and Citations

• Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976