Leadwood

Description

Krugiodendron ferreum, commonly known as the black ironwood or leadwood, is a species of tree in the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae. It is found in southern Florida, throughout the Caribbean and from southern Mexico to Honduras. Originally described by Martin Vahl, its specific epithet is the Latin adjective ferreus ("iron-like"). The genus Krugiodendron contains two species, the other being Krugiodendron acuminatum. Its name honors Leopold Krug (1833-1898). The common names for this species refer to its dense wood. Typical air-dry samples have densities of approximately 1.30 g/cm3, and up to 1.42 g/cm3. The tree reaches 5-10 metres (16-33 ft) in height with oppositely arranged, emarginate leaves and small greenish flowers. The fruit is a drupe 5 to 7 mm long turning purplish red as it matures. It is widely cultivated in gardens or parks as a drought-tolerant specimen tree.