Krugiodendron
Krugiodendron ferreum, commonly known as the black ironwood or leadwood, is a species of tree in the 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.
It is the only species in the genus Krugiodendron. The genus name honors Leopold Krug. 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 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.
