Caesalpinia

/ˌsiːsælˈpɪniə/ noun

Definition

A tropical plant genus that includes trees and shrubs known for their showy flowers and pods, some used for dyes and medicine.

Etymology

Named after Andrea Cesalpino, a 16th-century Italian botanist and physician, using the Latinized form of his surname with the standard botanical suffix '-ia' for genus names.

Kelly Says

One caesalpinia species produces a brilliant red-orange dye called 'brazilin' that was historically so valuable it gave its name to an entire country—Brazil!

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