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Libidibia coriaria

Caesalpinia coriaria

Also called Divi divi

Libidibia coriaria
Photo: Quistnix, CC BY-SA 3.0

Divi-divi is a leguminous tree or large shrub native to the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and northern South America, grown for its tannin-rich twisted pods. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and is usually shaped by coastal winds.

Family
Fabaceae (Pea & bean family)
Grows as
Tree, Shrub
Light
Full sun
Water
Water young plants regularly until established, then allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Soil
Well-drained sandy or poor soil.
Temperature
Warm tropical conditions; frost-sensitive, protect below about 10 °C.
How easy
Easy

About

Libidibia coriaria, synonym Caesalpinia coriaria, is a leguminous tree or large shrub native to the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and northern and western South America. Common names include divi-divi, cascalote, guaracabuya, guatapana, nacascol, tan yong, and watapana (Aruba).

Safety

Tannins are extracted from divi-divi pods for use in leather production.

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

Uses

According to the FAO's Ecocrop database, the pods provide tannin and a black dye used in the tanning industry and for ink. The pods also have medicinal properties. The hard, dark colored wood is used for carpentry. The tree can be planted for shade. Yields of pods may be 45–135 kg per tree per year.

Other Caesalpinia plants

Pride-of-Barbados · Nicker

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Libidibia coriaria by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

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