Pau-brasil (Brazilwood) Paubrasilia echinata
Pau-brasil (Brazilwood) (Paubrasilia echinata) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to Atlantic Forest of coastal Brazil. It grows 10–15 m (33–49 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 7 m (23 ft) apart.
Plan Pau-brasil (Brazilwood) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Pau-brasil (Brazilwood) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 10–15 m (33–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 7 m (23 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about October for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Atlantic Forest of coastal Brazil |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Pau-brasil (Brazilwood) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pau-brasil (Brazilwood)
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
See Pau-brasil (Brazilwood) in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (5 plants)
Questions about Pau-brasil (Brazilwood)
- How far apart should I plant Pau-brasil (Brazilwood)?
- About 7 m (23 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
- Does Pau-brasil (Brazilwood) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pau-brasil (Brazilwood) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pau-brasil (Brazilwood)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Pau-brasil (Brazilwood) flower?
- From about October for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Pau-brasil (Brazilwood) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Pau-brasil (Brazilwood)?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Flora e Funga do Brasil, Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (REFLORA)
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro: arboretum and collections, Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: outdoors only where frost never occurs; elsewhere under heated glass.
- The tree that named Brazil (red dye wood); prickly trunk, fragrant yellow flowers with a red spot. Endangered (IUCN). Prime wood for violin bows.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis