 The tree is locally known by many names, including guapuruvu, guapiruvu, bacurubu, ficheira ("token tree"), faveira ("fava tree"), pau-de-vintém ("penny-wood"), pau-de-tamanco ("clog-wood"), umbela, and parica.It was first described by J. M. C. Vellozo in 1825 under the name "Cassia parahyba".The species name likely refers to the Paraíba River in Southeast Brazil.