Closely related to Haematoxylum campechianum[]. If the two species were found growing together, they could scarcely be regarded as distinct, since they are at best none too easily separable, except by the wood, which seems to have distinct properties in the two species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Haematoxylum brasiletto is usually a shrub growing around 2 - 3 metres tall, though sometimes it can become a tree as much as 9 metres high[]. It has stout branches which are often tortuous and are armed with long hard spines as much as 2cm long[]. The bole is crooked and deeply fluted, branching from near the base[].
The wood is the source of a beautiful red dye, which is used locally and exported to countries such as America and Britain[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - Colombia and Venezuela, north through Central America to Mexico; Caribbean.

Habitat

Dry rocky brushy hillsides at elevations of 200 - 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Haematoxylum brasiletto is a plant of drier, regions in the tropics of the Americas, where it ca be found at elevations up to 1,200 metres. It prefers a mean temperature range of 15 - 25°c, and a mean annual rainfall in excess of 400mm[].
Requires a sunny position. Succeeds in a range of soils, including calcareous[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction or infusion of the plant is employed in Guatemala for treating erysipelas and inflammation of the stomach[].

Other Uses

A beautiful, bright red dye is obtained from the wood[, ]. The heartwood is rich orange when fresh, turning to dark red upon exposure. In the trade it usually is known by the name 'brazilette' (from Spanish brasileto), usually is classed with brazilwood (Caesalpinia echinata) and supplies brasilin and not the hematin crystals of H. campechianum[]. Wood from Nicaragua is known locally as 'brasil' and in the trade as 'Nicaragua wood' or 'hypernic,' the latter applied to a superior quality[].

The heartwood is a bright orange-red; the sapwood is whitish to straw-coloured. The texture is medium to fine; the grain is irregular; there is an odour of violets. The wood is strong, very hard, compact, but brittle. It takes a fine polish.. Usually too small to be used as a timber, it is used locally for small items[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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