The Brazilian Pau tree, or Paubrasilia echinata, is a special tree from Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. It is a national symbol of Brazil. This tree is renowned for its dense, orange-red heartwood. The vibrant color is due to a red dye called brazilin, which oxidizes to brazilein, giving the wood a unique shine. This characteristic made it highly sought after, not just for its beauty, but also for its durability. Due to its hardness and density, it was mainly used for its dye and in crafting bows for stringed instruments. This excessive harvesting led to its unfortunate decline, pushing it to the brink of extinction. The Brazilian Pau tree, is indeed quite rare. It is listed as endangered due to a population reduction of over 50% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range and exploitation. The number of brazilwood trees rapidly decreased in the 18th century, due to unsustainable stock management and excessive harvesting. Today, brazilwood trees occupy a significantly reduced area, when compared to their original range. Today, the Brazilian Pau tree stands as a symbol of the delicate balance between human needs and nature’s preservation. Here are some facts about the Brazilian Pau tree: - Its name "Pau Brasil" means "reddish wood" in Portuguese. - It used to be abundant along Brazil's coastal forests. - Its yellow flowers are pollinated by insects and provide nectar for birds. - It was renamed Paubrasilia echinata in 2016. - The Latin name echinata refers to its thorny nature.