inflict the shores of Aruba , Bonaire or Curacao in the southerly Caribbean and you may encounter a picturesque , windswept tree named " divi - divi . " On these island the divi - divi pretend like a sort of compass , as they evidently incline to the west thanks to the constant east - to - Benjamin West blowing of the business deal winds . Not tolerant of frosts , divi - divi tree are grown in tropical region or as indoor potted bonsai specimens elsewhere . They are beseem to outdoor gardens in U.S. Department of Agriculture winter hardiness zones 10 and warmer .
Taxonomy
The divi - divi tree ’s botanic name is Caesalpinia coriaria ( former name Libidibia coriaria ) . It is a legume and phallus of the pea family , Fabaceae .
Origins
Divi - divi grows naturally and is aboriginal to the Caribbean catchment area , from the Lesser Antilles westwards to Central America and next northern South America . As alluded to in " Tropical and Subtropical Flowering Trees , " it grow in seasonally pissed - to - dry and coastal forests farther inland , too .
Size
Potentially growing up to 30 to 40 feet magniloquent , divi - divi is a low thornless Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that can come across a broad and spread canopy of arm and foliage . On the glide where the plant is incessantly impact by winds , it by nature attain a tip and more streamlined canopy form , maturing to a much smaller size .
Features
Economic Uses
The duramen of this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is moody chocolate-brown to black and often streaked . It ’s hard , very hard and substantial and long-wearing but difficult to work with cut up tools , according to " Tropical and Subtropical Flowering Trees . " The pods are rich in tannins that are used in the leather industry . Moreover , the Grant Wood produces a cherry-red dyestuff while the pods yield a black dye .
Growing Requirements
Plant divi - divi in a sand or loam soil that is well - draining and is somewhat acidulent ( pH between 6.0 and 7.0 ) . It appreciates and responds well to lots of water during the heat of the growing season , but it is still a behind - growing species . Site the tree in a full Sunday emplacement , receiving no less than eight hours of verbatim sun rays daily . According to the Food and Agriculture Organization , trees begin to bloom and produce pods at an eld of 5 to 7 class ; seedlings are easily harm by hoarfrost and hot juiceless winds .
