Sappanwood was first discovered by Kimichi (a Spanish national) in Brazil. The plant thrives and is distributed across Europe, America, and Asia. It has long been known to communities as a traditional medicinal plant. A decoction of its wood produces a pale ivory red color used as a dye for woven crafts, cakes, drinks, or as ink. The main phenolic compound in Sappanwood is brazilin, which has an anticancer effect.

Tanaman ini ditemukan pada daerah tropis, di tempat terbuka pada ketinggian 500-1.000 m dpl. Tumbuh alami di hutan sekunder. Suhu tahunan 24-28 °C, curah hujan 700-4.300 mm/th. Tumbuh di tanah liat dan batuan berkapur, mentolerir tanah pasir, dan pH tanah 5-7,5. 

• Root (Akar) Taproot.

• Stem (Batang) Woody, round, thorny. The bark of older stems is grayish-brown, while young bark is green.

• Leaves (Daun) Bipinnately compound (double-pinnate), 25–40 cm long. Leaflets are opposite arrangement, oblong shape, entire margin (rata), and the base of the leaf is notched inward.

• Flower (Bunga) Compound inflorescence, panicle shape (malai), emerging from the tip of the stalk, 10–40 cm long. The flower calyx has fine hairs on the edges, the petals are yellow and round with a diameter of 4–6 mm. The flower consists of four petals, and has stamens and a pistil.

• Fruit (Buah) Pod (polong), flat, oblong. The fruit is green and turns black when ripe.

• Seed (Biji) Elongated-round, brownish-yellow color, 15–18 mm long, 8–11 mm wide, 5–7 mm thick.

• Propagation is done generatively (seeds) or vegetatively (cuttings).

• The wood can be harvested starting at 1–2 years old.

Treats diarrhea, syphilis, "dirty blood" (blood impurities), antiviral, antibacterial, bloody stools, malaria, tumors, cataracts, stomach ulcers, common cold/mild flu (masuk angin), relieves fatigue, osteoporosis, eases breathing, acts as an antidote to poisons, used in post-partum care, and treats nerve disorders.

Gallic acid, brazilin, brazilein, sappanchalcone, sappanol, phangininoxy A, phanginin A, tannins, sappanone B, resorcinol, palmitic acid, isoflavonoids, saponins, neocaesalpin A and B.