Caesalpinia sappan

Caesalpinia sappan (sappanwood, sapanwood, suou, brezel wood) is a species of flowering plant in the Fabaceae family. It is native to southeast Asia and the Malay Archipelago.

This plant has many uses, such as medicinal abilities as an anti-bacterial and anti-coagulant. It produces a reddish dye called brazilin, which is used for dyeing fabric and making red paints and inks. The wood is slightly lighter in color than Caesalpinia echinata (Brazilwood) and other members of the Caesalpinia genus, but the same tinctorial principle appears to be common in all these.

It was a major trade good during the 17th century, when it was exported from southeast Asia on red seal ships to Japan.