Native to southern Africa, the bloodwood tree is a deciduous tree, meaning that it sheds its leaves seasonally. The sap of the bloodwood is bright red, which leaves no surprise in how the tree got its name in the English language. The Pterocarpus is much valued in Africa, as it provides a beautiful timber which is easy to work with. People use it for building furniture as well as canoes, as the wood does not shrink or swell that much.