Pau brasil  (Caesalpinia echinata)

This rare tree is famous as the origin of the name of the country of Brazil. It may reach up to 15 metres in height, and the dark brown bark flakes in large patches, revealing the lustrous blood-red heartwood underneath (2). The leaves are branching and each stem contains between 9 and 19 small, leathery leaflets, which are broadly oblong in shape (2). The flower stalk, or inflorescence, is also branched and contains between 15 and 40 yellow, strongly perfumed flowers (2). The petals are usually yellow with a blood-red blotch (2). The fruits are oval-shaped woody seedpods, measuring up to 7.3 cm long and 2.6 cm across; they hang off the braches and after the seeds are expelled the pod twists in shape (2). The branches, leaves and fruit of the pau brasil are covered with small thorns (3).