Caesalpinia ferrea SEEDS

Description

Caesalpinia ferrea seeds grow into the ironwood or leopard tree a large, impressive deciduous tree endemic to the seasonally dry tropical biome of north-eastern Brazil (the Caatinga region), known in Brazil as ‘Juc’ or ‘Pau-ferro’. Now placed as Libidibia ferrea in current taxonomy, the name ferrea means ‘iron’, reflecting the extraordinary density and hardness of the dark, heavy heartwood. The tree is instantly recognisable for its distinctive bark smooth, pale grey-cream mottled with darker patches, the pattern creating an effect reminiscent of a leopard’s skin and giving rise to the ‘leopard tree’ common name. Yellow flowers appear in clusters; the bipinnate leaves are feathery and elegant. Deeply important in Brazilian traditional medicine. Family Fabaceae.

Full sun; drought-tolerant; adaptable to dry, rocky soils of the Caatinga. A spectacular ornamental tree for warm subtropical and tropical climates.

• Distinctive mottled pale grey-cream bark the ‘leopard tree’ pattern; unique ornamental character
• Extremely dense, hard dark heartwood; ‘ferrea’ = iron; ‘Pau-ferro’ = ironwood in Portuguese
• NE. Brazil (Caatinga) seasonally dry tropical biome; now Libidibia ferrea in POWO
• Yellow flower clusters; feathery bipinnate leaves; deeply important in Brazilian traditional medicine
• Full sun; drought-tolerant; dry rocky soils; warm subtropical to tropical; Family Fabaceae

Caesalpinia ferrea is one of Brazil’s most remarkable trees the ironwood’s extraordinary mottled leopard-skin bark, iron-hard timber and importance in the Caatinga ecosystem and Brazilian traditional medicine make it one of the most botanically and culturally significant trees of the Brazilian dry tropics.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.