return to: checklist; keys; family Fabaceae subfamily Caesalpinioideae

Caesalpinia violacea (Miller) Standley; chakte', viga

Tree; leaves alternate, twice pinnately compound, even pinnate; inflorescence a raceme of yellow flowers; legume fruits a flat pod.

Additional images:

• leaf (from a seedling)
• leaf (from an older plant)
• bark
• bark

Gaumer translated the Mayan name, chakte', as "red tree. The wood yields a red dye which, as mentioned by Standley (1930) is reputedly the source of pigment used in creating the red hand imprints found on walls of ancient Maya buildings.