It is a tree of normal growth, branching freely and 
with good foliage. Bark of an ashen colour and spongy. 
Leaves oval and in two wing-like halves, 
Flowers odorous, red and yellow in clusters. 
The fruit is a legume or pod. 
The tree is of slow growth. 
Pao d’Arco. 
SYNONYM: Cavantan, 
CLASSIFICATION: Bignoniaceae and other botanical families. 
DESCRIPTION: Trunks from 8 to 10 metres in length and 60 
to 80 cms. in diameter. Colour brown or pinkish, with 
veinings and patches of yellowish tint. 
Grain straight. Hard to carve. 
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: From 700 to 850 kgs. 
RESISTANCE: To crushing: 758 kgs. 
USES: Carts. Axles and spokes of wheels. Exterior work, posts, 
etc. Damp situations. Sleepers of second-rate quality. 
The bark is medicinal against ulcers. 
HABITAT: Sierra del Mar. Rare in other districts. 
OBSERVATIONS: A very high tree. Bark very hard. Leaves 
glossy, broad and compound. The fruit is a pod with two 
cavities. At times the tree appears entirely covered with 
flowers which hide the leaves, 
Pao-Ferro. 
SYNONYMS: Ytd. Quiripyranga. 
CLASSIFICATION: Apuleia ferrea Mart. 
Order: Leguminosae. 
DESCRIPTION: Trunks from 10 to 12 metres in length and 60 
to 80 cms. in diameter. 
Colour almost black with thin yellowish patches. Grain 
very fine and netted. Layer of sap-wood or alburnum, useful 
in building. 
Hard to cut. 
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: From 1,086 to 1,270 kgs. 
RESISTANCE: To crushing: 951 kgs.; to flexion: 1,442 kgs. 
USES: Scaffolding, posts, beams, damp situations, first-rate quality. 
Best used of large dimensions on account of tendency to 
shrink a little. The ‘bark is medicinal for piles and rheumatism. 
HABITAT: Sierra del Mar. Valley of the Ribeira. 
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