A tropical hardwood tree (genus Carapa) native to South America and the Caribbean, known for dense, reddish timber.
From 'crab' plus 'wood'—the name's origin is unclear, possibly from crab-like branching patterns or indigenous naming translated literally.
Crabwood oil from these trees contains azadirachtin, the same insecticidal compound in neem trees—proving that common names sometimes hint at practical properties humans discovered through trial and error.
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