Libidibia coriaria

Libidibia 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,[1] and Watapana (Aruba).

"Divi-divi" redirects here. For the Netherlands Antilles-based airline, see Divi Divi Air.

Libidibia coriaria
Divi-divi on Aruba
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Libidibia
Species:
L. coriaria
Binomial name
Libidibia coriaria
(Jacq. 1763) Schltdl. 1830
Synonyms[1]
  • Caesalpinia coriara (Jacq. 1763) Willd. 1799
  • Poinciana coriaria Jacq. 1763

Description
Divi-divi with developed canopy.

L. 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 Libidibia; it is the national tree of Curaçao.[2] It is also very common and popular on Aruba.

Leaves and pod

Chemistry

Tannins are extracted from Divi-divi pods for use in leather production.[3][4]

Among the molecules isolated is corilagin, whose name comes from the specific epithet of the plant.

See also

References
  1. "Caesalpinia coriaria". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2011-04-18.
  2. Sullivan, Lynne M. (2006). Adventure Guide to Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao. Hunter Publishing Inc. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-58843-572-9.
  3. "Vegetable tannins". Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books. Conservation OnLine. 2011-03-10. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
  4. Perez-Tello, Carlos (1995). "Recovery of Vegetable Tannins from Divi-divi Pods". Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology. 64 (1): 101–104. doi:10.1002/jctb.280640116.
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