Paubrasilia echinata aka Orabut (Portuguese)

Paubrasilia echinata is an evergreen tree in the pea family. This family is called Fabaceae. Its names include Brazil wood, Pernambuco wood and pau brasil. Its old name, Caesalpinia echinata, means the same species. It comes from eastern and northeastern Brazil. Its home range has a tropical climate with dry seasons. It grows in dry limestone thickets and open coastal woods. These sites often have sandy soil or sand mixed with clay. It also grows on dry, steep slopes.

The tree has many branches and a broad, rounded crown. It may also grow as a spiny shrub. Garden accounts give heights around 33–39 feet [10–12 metres]. Many trees stay smaller than this. One source gives a spread of 39 feet [12 metres]. Reports tell of past wild trees reaching 98 feet [30 metres]. Its upright trunk can reach 1.3–2.3 feet [0.4–0.7 metres] across. The plant's spines pose a risk when you handle it. Bees pollinate its flowers. These first appear at about three to four years. The tree also bears pods.

It grows best in full sun and soil that drains well. It prefers alkaline soil but also grows in neutral soil. Sand, loam and clay all suit it. It prefers moist soil. Once well rooted, trees cope well with drought. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12. It says the tree is frost tender. Sources differ on how fast it grows. They call its growth slow, medium or fairly fast. Young trees may reach 6.6 feet [2 metres] in two years. The tree can also fix nitrogen.

Growers plant it for looks, as a screen or as a barrier. Pruning can keep it small and dense. Its wood yields red dye. Pods yield black dye when mixed with iron sulphate. The red dye was once a major trade product. Brazil took its name from this tree. Its hard, heavy wood has served for turnery and shipbuilding. Makers have also used it for violin bows. PFAF warns that wood grown in plantations may not suit bows. Loss of habitat and heavy harvest have cut wild numbers. Useful Tropical Plants cites an IUCN assessment from 2011. This lists the tree as Endangered.

PFAF records no known food uses. It notes past uses of bark charcoal for diarrhoea. It also notes the use of wood for tooth pain. These records do not prove that such treatments work. Nor do they show that the treatments are safe. The supplied sources do not show whether the tree is toxic. They name no pests or diseases. Use fresh seed to grow new plants. Stored seed soon loses its power to sprout. PFAF says soaked seeds sprout within eight to fifteen days. It also records growing new plants from softwood cuttings. Check protection rules before you collect seed from wild trees.