Caesalpinia sappan L

Latin Name:

Caesalpinia sappan L.

PinYin Name:

sumu
Sibukao is a small tree which is well-distributed throughout the country but not abundant, except in Guimaras and Panay Islands [Philippines]. It is a source of a red dye and has medicinal properties. Sibukao has a very large orange heartwood which turns brick red on prolonged exposure to light, air, and heat. The anatomy of the wood is described and the proximate chemical analysis is given. Sibukao has a very high alcohol-benzene extractive of 11.67%. It has a specific gravity of 0.778 and a heating value of 5, 995 cal/g, which makes it an ideal fuelwood. The red dye from sibukao is heat, light, and air sensitive. The effect of these three factors is to intensify the red color. Sibukao has medicinal properties. Wood, leaves and seeds appear to have active principles which may be effective against various diseases and pests.