Haematoxylum campechianum

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Haematoxylum campechianum

Description

Tree up to c. 15 m high. Leaves with one spine in the axil, 3-5-jugate, petiole with rachis up to c. 10 cm. Inflorescences up to 6(-12) cm long, rather densely flowered; pedicels 4-6 mm. Flowers fragrant. Petals bright yellow, obovate, 5-6 mm. Stamens almost the same length as petals. Ovary and style pubescent.

Distribution

tropical America present, tropics cultivated
Tropical America, now widely cultivated in the Tropics.

Uses

The heartwood and roots are the source of blue, violet, and purple dyes used for ink, and for dyeing woollen and silk goods. The heartwood is also the source of a red dye (haematoxylin) which is used as a stain in histological work. See

Citation

Koord. & Valeton 1894 – In: Bijdr. Booms. Java: 270
Miq. 1855 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: 115
Backer & Bakh.f 1964 – In: Fl. Java: 543.