Haematoxylum campechianum aka Logwood

Haematoxylum campechianum belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. Its common names include logwood, campeche, and bloodwood tree. Its native range runs from southern Mexico to Honduras. It grows in the seasonally dry tropics of this region. People also grow it in tropical parts of Africa and the Americas. It has become naturalized in some places outside its home range.

This slow-growing plant forms a shrub or small tree. It has a broad crown and a bushy shape. The listed height is about 33 feet [10 metres]. Some trees reach 49 feet [15 metres], though most stay smaller. The trunk twists and develops deep, uneven flutes. Its main length can reach 7–10 feet [2–3 metres]. The trunk may reach 2 feet [0.6 metres] across. Thorns and a gnarled form add to its rugged look. It sheds some, but not all, of its leaves.

Gardeners grow logwood for its fine foliage and scented flowers. Bees visit the flowers and act as pollinators. It can serve as a hedge or an ornamental tree. Its slow growth is worth considering when planning a hedge. Growers raise new plants from seed or cuttings. The supplied sources give no flowering season or fruit details. They also name no specific pests or diseases.

Logwood grows in tropical lowlands and prefers full sun. In its native range, it favours flat, marshy ground. Rivers often flood these sites. Yet it also grows on exposed limestone slopes in the West Indies. There, it occurs among dry, regrown thickets. It accepts most soils but prefers light soil rich in humus. Once established, it withstands drought well. These habitats show its broad tolerance of moisture conditions. The evidence gives no frost limit or hardiness zone.

The wood supplies dyes as well as useful timber. Different treatments produce red, purple, blue, grey, and black shades. These dyes colour cloth, leather, and other materials. Jamaica has long been an important source of the wood. Local medicine also uses wood extracts for several ailments. These traditional uses do not establish safe home treatments. The source lists no known food uses or hazards. That does not confirm safety for people or pets. Its reported weed potential also deserves attention where it spreads.