Brazilwood

Brazilwood is a common name for several trees of the family Leguminosae (pulse family) whose wood yields a red dye called brazilein. The name is said to come from "brasa", Portuguese for "ember," owing to its red hue.

Related Topics:
Leguminosae - Pulse - Dye - Brazilein

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Portuguese explorers used this name for such a wood from a South American tree (Caesalpinia echinata), which led to the name Brazil for its land of origin. This Caesalpinia echinata is also known as "Pau-Brasil" or "Pau-de-Pernambuco". (Pernambuco is the name of a small state in Northeast Brazil, "pau" meaning "wood"). The orange-red wood, which takes a high shine, is also used for making violin bows, and is the premier wood for that purpose.

Related Topics:
Portuguese - South American - Brazil - Violin

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