Kingdom Plantae Family Fabaceae Scientific name Caesalpinia coriaria Rank Species | Order Fabales Genus Caesalpinia Higher classification Caesalpinia | |
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Similar Caesalpinia, Legumes, Caesalpinia spinosa, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Pithecellobium | ||
Tertiary ingredients of caesalpinia coriaria formulations pankaj oudhia s medicinal plant database
Caesalpinia coriaria is a leguminous tree or large shrub native to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Common names include Divi-divi, Cascalote, Guaracabuya, Guatapana, Nacascol, and Watapana (Aruba).
Contents
- Tertiary ingredients of caesalpinia coriaria formulations pankaj oudhia s medicinal plant database
- Description
- Chemistry
- References
Description
C. coriaria rarely reaches its maximum height of 9 m (30 ft) because its growth is contorted by the trade winds that batter the exposed coastal sites where it often grows. In other environments it grows into a low dome shape with a clear sub canopy space. Leaves are bipinnate, with 5-10 pairs of pinnae, each pinna with 15-25 pairs of leaflets; the individual leaflets are 7 mm long and 2 mm broad. The fruit is a twisted pod 5 cm (2.0 in) long.
The Divi-divi is one of the more well known species of Caesalpinia; it is the national tree of Curaçao. It is also very common and popular on Aruba.
Chemistry
Tannins are extracted from Divi-divi pods for use in leather production.
Among the molecules isolated is corilagin, whose name comes from the specific epithet of the plant.
