# Logwood (*Haematoxylum campechianum*)

Logwood trees have dark, dense wood that is used to make dyes. They grow in tropical regions and have pretty pink flowers.

- **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Tropical regions
- **Also known as:** Haematoxylum, Logwood Tree

![Logwood](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Haematoxylon_campechianum0.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Kurt Stüber \[1\], CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haematoxylon_campechianum0.jpg)

## Appearance

The Logwood has a gnarled, often crooked trunk with deeply furrowed bark and thorny branches. Its small, roundish leaves are dark green, complemented by clusters of tiny, fragrant yellow flowers that bloom intermittently. The wood itself is distinct, appearing reddish-brown inside.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Fabales
- **Family:** Fabaceae
- **Genus:** Haematoxylum

## Interesting facts

- Its dense wood is so heavy, it barely floats on water!
- Logwood heartwood glows bright red when freshly cut!
- The flowers attract bees that make delicious, unique honey!
- Wow, Logwood was once traded like gold for its amazing dyes!

## Special abilities

- **Dye Power:** Logwood can produce vibrant red and purple dyes from its dark heartwood, making it historically valuable to humans.
- **Thorn Guard:** Logwood has sharp thorns on its branches that help protect its leaves and bark from hungry animals.
- **Drought Survivor:** Logwood can thrive in dry, poor soils, using its deep roots to find water in harsh environments.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-15 m
- **Spread:** 5-10 m
- **Edible:** No
- **Size:** 30-60 cm
- **Lifespan:** 50-100 years
- **Fruit Type:** Flat brown pod
- **Growth Rate:** Medium
- **Leaf Type:** Evergreen

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Bees collect nectar for honey.
- **Eats:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer browse on its leaves.
- **Eats:** Leaf-cutter Ant (*Atta cephalotes*) — Ants cut leaves for their fungus.
- **Shelter:** Yellow-throated Oriole (*Icterus gularis*) — Orioles may nest in its thorny branches.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
- [Dye](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/dye): This human use trait indicates species from which natural dyes can be extracted and used to color textiles, food, or other materials.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
- [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)
- [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Enjoy the beauty of logwood trees from a safe distance and avoid climbing them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Logwood?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Logwood?

5-15 m

### How wide does Logwood spread?

5-10 m

### Is Logwood edible?

No

### How big is Logwood?

30-60 cm

### How long does Logwood live?

50-100 years

### Where is Logwood usually found?

Tropical regions

### What kind of fruit does Logwood produce?

Flat brown pod

## More Trees

- [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*)
- [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*)
- [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*)
- [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*)

---

Source: [Logwood: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/logwood)