| General Description | Paubrasilia echinata is a woody evergreen tree famous for its prized orange-reddish heartwood and its blood-red sap. It is generally a small tree, ranging from 5 to 15 m in height, and a DBH (Diameter at
breast height) between 15 and 50 cm. P. echinata has thorns on its seedpods, trunk, and branches, with pinnate, dark-green, glossy leaves. The flowers bloom in panicles, have yellow-golden petals with a red blotch, and are very fragrant. |
| ID Characteristic | The easiest way to identify this tree is by looking for thorns on its trunk and branches, especially the upper ones. If the bark is peeling off, it is possible to see its reddish wood – its sap is also red. The
fragrant flowers appear in panicles, and are yellow with a red blotch, attracting many pollinators. The seed pods also contain thorns, and the tree holds on to it for a while after releasing the seeds. |
| Shape | P. echinata is a small tree with a short, tortuous trunk. Its crown is rounded or oblong, symmetrical, and dense. It rarely surpasses 15 m in height and 30 cm in diameter. |
| Landscape | P. echinata can be used as an ornamental tree in parks, squares, gardens, and urban forestry in tropical regions. Its strong root system can damage sidewalks if the tree is planted close to them. It can also be used in reforestation projects, but planting them under full sun
alone is not recommended. This is because, although P. echinata is a climax species, it is also an understory tree. Therefore, for environmental restoration purposes, it should be planted in conjunction
with other trees so it can reach its full potential. |
| Propagation | P. echinata can be propagated by seed. For the best germination rate, it is recommended to collect the seeds between the sixth and eighth months after the flowering period. To speed up germination of seeds,
which usually happens between 4 and 60 days after sowing, it is recommended to soak them for 24 hours and wait for the plants to be at least 8 months old before transplanting. This tree can also be
propagated by root cuttings. |
| Cultivation | P. echinata is a slow-growing tree that occurs naturally in acidic, well-draining soils that present low chemical fertility and sandy or silty texture. It is an understory tree, so it is best grown in part-shade. |
| Pests | Mites and leafcutter ants are the most common pests. |
| Notable Specimens | Itamaraju, Bahia, Brazil. |
| Habitat | P. echinata is endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil, from the states of Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Norte. Once abundant on the Brazilian coast, it is considered a rare tree. In 1998, it was assessed as
an Endangered species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Its bark is relatively thin (up to 10 mm), greyish-brown, and contains aculeus portions, especially on the upper part of the trunk. As the tree matures, some of its bark peels off in plaques, revealing a brownish-pink
wood. |
| Leaf Description | P. echinata has dark green, glossy, compound, alternate leaves, with 6 to 10 pairs of alternate pinnae, 10 to 20 sessile leaflets, and the presence of thorns below the rachis. The leaves measure between 10 and 15 cm, the pinnae between 8 and 14 cm, and the leaflets between 1 and 2 cm. The leaflets are oblong with an apparent midrib. |
| Flower Description | The flowers are golden yellow and fragrant. The flowers have 5 petals with a dark red spot in the centre. They measure about 5 cm when mature and appear as terminal panicles that measure about 20 cm. The sepals are all yellow aside for a green one. The flowers have 10 stamens, 1 carpel and a superior, elongated ovary. The flowering period varies widely depending on the region of the country, starting as early September and as late as December and lasting for between 3 and 6 months. |
| Fruit Description | P. echinata pods are brown, measuring 5 to 8 cm long by 2.5 cm wide, covered externally with multiple short and rigid bristles, and contain 1 to 2 seeds. The seeds are brown, elliptical, smooth, and flat, have
an irregular margin, and measure, on average, 17 mm in length by 15 mm wide. The pods remain attached to the tree after the seeds are released and acquire a twisty shape as they dry. The fruiting period varies a lot depending on the region of the country. |
| Colour Description | Brazilwood’s bark is grey-brown. As the tree matures, some of its bark peels off in plaques, revealing a brownish-pink wood. The sap is red, and the pods and seeds are brown. The flowers are yellow with a red blotch on one of the petals and the leaves are dark green. |
| Texture Description | Medium. |