Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae-Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta-Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta-Seed plants
Division; Magnoliophyta-Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida- Dicotyledons
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Caesalpinia L.
Species: ferrea
(Stevens, P. F. (2001+). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Version 6, May 2005 [updated 03/04/2006]. http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/.)
The International Plant Names Index (2004). Published on the Internet, http://www.ipni.org (accessed 12 February 2008).

Although the diameter varies, at its maximum it ranges between 40 and 60 cm. The common name ‘leopard tree’ comes from the patch-work appearance of the trunk that results from the peeling bark, resembling the spots of a leopard. The leaves of the leopard tree are bi-pinnately compound (pinnate leaves that are themselves pinnate), 15-19 cm long. The individual leaflets range between 8-24 per pinnae. The flowers are bright yellow, typical of the Caesalpinioideae in form, appearing in terminal or axillary inflorescences. The seeds are dark brown, hard, and held in a flat pod.
Lorenzi, H. (2002) Brazilian trees: a guide to the identification and cultivation of Brazilian native trees. Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora, Nova Odessa, SP, Brazil.

The fruits have also been used traditionally for the treatment of coughs and external injuries due to the species’ believed anti-biotic qualities.

Within the scientific literature, C. ferrea has been shown to have potential for the treatment of internal ulcers and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Nakamura et al. (2002) screened fruit extracts from the species and found that three compounds extracted showed potent anti-cancer forming properties.

Bragança, L.A.R., 1996. Plantas medicinais antidiabéticas. EDUFF press,
Niterói, R. J.

Carvalho, J.C.T., Teixeira, J.R.M., Souza, P.J.C., Bastos, J.K., Filho, D.S., Sarti,
S.J., 1996. Preliminary studies of analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties
of Caesalpinia ferrea crude extract. J. Ethnopharmacol. 53, 175–178.

Hashimoto, G. (1996) Illustrated encyclopedia of Brazilian medicinal
plants. ABOC-SHA.

Nakamura, E. S., Kurosaki, F., Arisawa, M., Mukainaka, T.,
Okuda, M., Tokuda, H., Nishino, H., Pastore, F., (2002) Cancer chemo-preventive effects of constituents of Caesalpinia ferrea and related compounds. Cancer Letters, 177: 119–124


** The information provided above is not intended to be used as a guide for treatment of medical conditions using plants.

Lorenzi, H. (2002) Brazilian trees: a guide to the identification and cultivation of Brazilian native trees. Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora, Nova Odessa, SP, Brazil.