Caesalpinia echinata is a species of
Brazilian timber tree in the
pea family,
Fabaceae. Common names include
Brazilwood,
Pernambuco tree (Portuguese:
Pau-Brasil,
Pau de Pernambuco;
Tupi Ibirapitanga). This plant has a dense, orange-red heartwood that takes a high shine, and it is the premier wood used for making
bows for stringed instruments. The wood also yields a red
dye called
brazilin, which oxidizes to brazilein.