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| Caesalpinia sappan |
Sappanwood or Sapanwood (Caesalpinia sappan, Japanese: suou) is a sort of redwood found in tropical Southeast Asia and the Malay archipelago. It was first called "brezel wood" in Europe. This plant has many uses. It possesses medicinal abilities as an anti-bacterial and for its anti-coagulant properties. It also produces a valued type of reddish dye called brazilin, used for dyeing fabric as well as making red paints and inks. The wood is somewhat lighter in color than Brazil wood and its other allies, but the same tinctorial principle appears to be common to all. Sappanwood used to be one of the main sources of trade during the 17th century between Japan and its Southeast Asia neighbors (especially Siam) onboard Red Seal Ships.
References
This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
- World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). Caesalpinia sappan. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
