Schizolobium

The mature tree typically has a straight trunk, up to 40 meters tall and 80 cm wide, that branches out only near the top. The bark is smooth and gray-green except by the scars left by fallen leaves. The leaves are bipinnate, a metre or more in length, with a green stem and 30–50 opposite pinnae, each with 40–60 leaflets 2–3 cm long; they are clustered near the end of the branches, and fall off completely in the dry season. The fruits ripen between April and June. Each fruit is a tadpole-like pod about 10 cm long, containing a single oval seed, smooth and brown. ==Diffusion==

The native range spans from Central America to southern Brazil. It is sun-loving and prefers open and semi-open areas; it is quite rare in densely forested areas. ==Uses==

The wood is odorless, straw-colored, soft and light (density 0.32 to 0.39 g/cm3, increasing with age). Formerly used for dugout canoes, it is now used for toys, boxes, shoe heels, the inner layers of laminated wood, and paper. The leaves contain water-soluble substances that act as antidotes to the bites of Bothrops snakes. The seeds are used traditionally as beads and buttons. ==References==