blackwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Logwood
• Blackwood
• Bloodwood Tree
• Bluewood
• Campeachy Tree
• Campeachy Wood
• Campeche Logwood
• Campeche Wood
• Jamaica Wood
• Logwood Tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cymbosepalum baronii
• Acosmium trichonema

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Haematoxylum, with its species designation being campechianum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence has been specifically documented within the borders of Egypt. Moving toward the western coast, it is widely found throughout West Tropical Africa. Within this zone, the species thrives in the territories of Benin, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. Finally, its range extends further along the coast to include the nation of Senegal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Haematoxylum campechianum is characterized by its distribution across a specific altitudinal gradient, typically occurring in low-lying environments. This species thrives within an elevational range that begins at 0 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 230 m AMSL. This relatively low-altitude positioning suggests an adaptation to lowland tropical or subtropical habitats, where it likely interacts with specific soil compositions and humidity levels characteristic of these coastal or near-coastal elevations.

Elevational range max:

230 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Genetics

The genetics of Haematoxylum campechianum are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its cytogenetic profile. The species possesses a total chromosome number of 24, which serves as a fundamental baseline for its genomic structure. Furthermore, this plant exhibits a diploid ploidy level, indicated by a value of 2, signifying that its somatic cells contain two complete sets of chromosomes.

Chromosome number :

24

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Haematoxylum campechianum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody plant, it undergoes a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and seasonal development, establishing a robust structural foundation that supports its long-term survival. This perennial nature ensures that the plant can withstand varying environmental conditions, maintaining its biological presence and reproductive potential throughout its extended lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Haematoxylum campechianum is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as both a tree and a shrub. As an independent species, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine, and its stature is significant, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 3 m to a maximum of 10 m, resulting in a mean height of approximately 10 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Haematoxylum campechianum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The plant's vegetative structure features leaves that typically range in length from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, with a corresponding width varying between 1 cm and 2.5 cm. Furthermore, the species exhibits nitrogen-fixing capabilities, allowing it to enhance its nutrient uptake and support growth through the biological fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Haematoxylum campechianum is driven by biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The flowering stage is characterized by the presence of yellow flowers. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops a fruit categorized as a pod, which is a dehiscent type, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. These pods vary in size, with a minimum length of 2 cm and a maximum length of 6 cm, and a width ranging from 0.8 cm to 1.2 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with dimensions ranging from 5 mm to 7 mm in length and 2 mm to 3 mm in width. The seed mass is relatively light, with a mean mass of approximately 0.017585 g, a minimum of 0.01362 g, and a maximum of 0.02155 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flower colour :

yellow

Fruit length max:

6 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

7 mm

Seed length min:

5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.02155 g

Seed mass mean:

0.017585 g

Seed mass min:

0.01362 g

Seed width max:

3 mm

Seed width min:

2 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Haematoxylum campechianum has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-Deoxysappanchalcone, ETHYL GALLATE, Haematoxylin, Hematoxylol A, Sappanchalcone.

3-Deoxysappanchalcone

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

ETHYL GALLATE

1. Dr. Duke

Haematoxylin

1. Dr. Duke

Hematoxylol A

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Sappanchalcone

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke

acetic acid

1. Dr. Duke

hematoxin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

myricetin

1. Dr. Duke

oxalic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Haematoxylum campechianum has 201 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor, Acaricide, Acidulant.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Haematoxylum campechianum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diarrhea, dysentery.

Diarrhea

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Dysentery

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Haematoxylum campechianum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extract.

Methanolic extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)