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Sappanwood
Fabaceae familyNE · Not Evaluated

Sappanwood

Biancaea sappan (L.) Tod.

Biancaea sappan is a species of flowering tree in the legume family, Fabaceae, that is native to tropical Asia.

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Oct 26, 2026
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Overview

Biancaea sappan is a species of flowering tree in the legume family, Fabaceae, that is native to tropical Asia. Common names in English include sappan (after Malay sepang), sappanwood and Indian redwood. It was previously ascribed to the genus Caesalpinia. Sappanwood is related to brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata), and was itself called brasilwood in the Middle Ages.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026

It is native to Nepal and the eastern Himalayas, northeastern India, Bangladesh, and Indochina. It has been introduced to much of the Indian Subcontinent, southern China, Malesia, Papuasia, and parts of tropical Africa.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026

The species was first described as Caesalpinia sappan by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. In 1875 Agostino Todaro placed the species in genus Biancaea as B. sappan.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026

Biancaea sappan can be infected by twig dieback (Lasiodiplodia theobromae).

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026

Life cycle

From seed to product

Seed & germination

Ripe **seed** is collected and sown fresh or stored dry; germination is best on a moist, well-drained seedbed.

Seedling & growth

Young plants gain height, branch and build a stable canopy in their first growing season.

Flowering

In season the plant opens **yellow flowers, May–July**, adding colour and nectar for insects.

Fruiting & harvest

Fruit ripens and seed is collected for propagation; **heartwood harvested year-round, best in winter**.

Habitat & conservation

Biancaea sappan is a species of flowering tree in the legume family, Fabaceae, that is native to tropical Asia. It is native to Nepal and the eastern Himalayas, northeastern India, Bangladesh, and Indochina.

Conservation

Sappanwood has not been assessed by the IUCN Red List (NE). As a medicinal plant, it benefits from sustainable collection and propagation to protect wild genetic resources.

References

  1. 1Wikipedia – Biancaea sappan — Wikipedia,
  2. 2Kew POWO – Biancaea sappan — Plants of the World Online (Kew),
  3. 3Wikidata – Q56088062 — Wikidata,
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