Monographs Details:
Authority:
Pennington, Terence D. 1981. Meliaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 28: 1-359, 418-449, 459-470. (Published by NYBG Press)
Pennington, Terence D. 1981. Meliaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 28: 1-359, 418-449, 459-470. (Published by NYBG Press)
Family:
Meliaceae
Meliaceae
Synonyms:
Cedrela guianensis A.Juss., Cedrela paraguariensis Mart., Cedrela mexicana Roem., Cedrela velloziana M.Roem., Cedrela glaziovii C.DC., Cedrela paraguariensis var. brachystachya C.DC., Cedrela paraguariensis var. multijuga C.DC., Cedrela dugesii S.Watson, Cedrela adenophylla Mart., Surenus brownii Kuntze, Surenus glaziovii (C.DC.) Kuntze, Surenus guianensis (A.Juss.) Kuntze, Surenus velloziana (M.Roem.) Kuntze, Cedrela paraguariensis var. hassleri C.DC.
Cedrela guianensis A.Juss., Cedrela paraguariensis Mart., Cedrela mexicana Roem., Cedrela velloziana M.Roem., Cedrela glaziovii C.DC., Cedrela paraguariensis var. brachystachya C.DC., Cedrela paraguariensis var. multijuga C.DC., Cedrela dugesii S.Watson, Cedrela adenophylla Mart., Surenus brownii Kuntze, Surenus glaziovii (C.DC.) Kuntze, Surenus guianensis (A.Juss.) Kuntze, Surenus velloziana (M.Roem.) Kuntze, Cedrela paraguariensis var. hassleri C.DC.
Description:
Species Description - Branchlets generally glabrous, sometimes finely pubescent, often with conspicuous, raised, rounded lenticels. Leaves paripinnate, rarely imparipinnate with an abortive terminal leaflet, clustered at ends of branchlets, (20-)30-60(-70) cm long; petiole glabrous or minutely puberulent. Leaflets sessile, subsessile or with slender petiolules to 2.0 cm long, (5-)6-12(-15) pairs, opposite, subopposite or alternate, ovate-lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, or ovate, often falcate, base obliquely truncate, acute or rounded, apex short acuminate or acute, asymmetrical, coriaceous, glossy green above, paler beneath, generally glabrous or with sparse short hairs on midrib and along secondary nerves beneath, (5-)7-15(-16) cm long, (2.5-)3-5.0(-7.0) cm broad. Inflorescence terminal or subterminal, large and much-branched, open, lax, pendulous, lenticellate, glabrous or puberulous, 20-40(-50) cm long, as long as or shorter than leaves, bracts deciduous. Flowers unisexual, subsessile or with glabrous pedicels to 2 mm long. Calyx cup-shaped or cupulate, irregularly dentate; teeth obtuse, with a single lateral split on one side, glabrous or puberulous. Petals 5, free, imbricate, oblong to elliptic-oblong, thin, 7-8(-9) mm long, 1.5-2 mm broad, short pubescent on both surfaces sometimes with matted hairs on inside, adnate to gynophore by a carina along lower 1/3 their length. Stamens 5, free, 2-3 mm long; filaments glabrous, adnate to base of narrow gynophore; anthers in S flowers yellow, very short apiculate, in [female] flowers slender, brown and shrivelled. Ovary in [female] flowers glabrous, globose, 5-locular, each loculus with 10-14 ovules; style short ca. 1.0-1.5 mm long; style-head discoid, ca. 1.0 mm thick, with 5 flat stigmatic lobes. Pistillode in [male] flowers very slender, angular, loculi well-developed, but rudimentary ovules very small; style slender 2-3 mm long, glabrous; style-head thinner, lacking well-defined stigmatic lobes. Capsule oblong-ellipsoid to obovoid, pendulous, 5-valved, valves thinly woody, 0.5-1.5 mm thick, brownish or brownish-grey with prominent small, white lenticels, (1.5-)2-3.5(-4.0) cm long. Columella with 5 broad wings extending to apex of capsule. Seed light brown 2-3 cm long including wing.
Species Description - Branchlets generally glabrous, sometimes finely pubescent, often with conspicuous, raised, rounded lenticels. Leaves paripinnate, rarely imparipinnate with an abortive terminal leaflet, clustered at ends of branchlets, (20-)30-60(-70) cm long; petiole glabrous or minutely puberulent. Leaflets sessile, subsessile or with slender petiolules to 2.0 cm long, (5-)6-12(-15) pairs, opposite, subopposite or alternate, ovate-lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, or ovate, often falcate, base obliquely truncate, acute or rounded, apex short acuminate or acute, asymmetrical, coriaceous, glossy green above, paler beneath, generally glabrous or with sparse short hairs on midrib and along secondary nerves beneath, (5-)7-15(-16) cm long, (2.5-)3-5.0(-7.0) cm broad. Inflorescence terminal or subterminal, large and much-branched, open, lax, pendulous, lenticellate, glabrous or puberulous, 20-40(-50) cm long, as long as or shorter than leaves, bracts deciduous. Flowers unisexual, subsessile or with glabrous pedicels to 2 mm long. Calyx cup-shaped or cupulate, irregularly dentate; teeth obtuse, with a single lateral split on one side, glabrous or puberulous. Petals 5, free, imbricate, oblong to elliptic-oblong, thin, 7-8(-9) mm long, 1.5-2 mm broad, short pubescent on both surfaces sometimes with matted hairs on inside, adnate to gynophore by a carina along lower 1/3 their length. Stamens 5, free, 2-3 mm long; filaments glabrous, adnate to base of narrow gynophore; anthers in S flowers yellow, very short apiculate, in [female] flowers slender, brown and shrivelled. Ovary in [female] flowers glabrous, globose, 5-locular, each loculus with 10-14 ovules; style short ca. 1.0-1.5 mm long; style-head discoid, ca. 1.0 mm thick, with 5 flat stigmatic lobes. Pistillode in [male] flowers very slender, angular, loculi well-developed, but rudimentary ovules very small; style slender 2-3 mm long, glabrous; style-head thinner, lacking well-defined stigmatic lobes. Capsule oblong-ellipsoid to obovoid, pendulous, 5-valved, valves thinly woody, 0.5-1.5 mm thick, brownish or brownish-grey with prominent small, white lenticels, (1.5-)2-3.5(-4.0) cm long. Columella with 5 broad wings extending to apex of capsule. Seed light brown 2-3 cm long including wing.
Discussion:
Cedrela odorata produces the famous Spanish cedar of commerce, a timber which is highly regarded for joinery of all kinds including cabinet making. The timber was formerly much favoured for making cigar boxes. It is light in weight, pinkish or reddish-brown in colour and very fragrant. The species is one of the world’s most important hardwoods now grown as a plantation crop and is being tried throughout the tropics on a large scale. As the tree has been the subject of very great commercial interest for over 200 years its distribution has been very much diminished by excessive exploitation over its entire range in tropical Latin America. Large trees of good form and size are now rarely found. Its natural range is thus obscured by exploitation, by forestry plantings and by trees which have escaped from cultivation.Included within our concept of C. odorata are many specimens placed by Earle Smith in his "C. angustifolia." We have found it impossible to keep these separate on any combination of characters (see under "Imperfectly Known Species")- A number of taxa described from the extreme northern and southern extremes of the enormous geographical range of this species have also been placed in synonymy. Among these should be noted especially C. ciliolata Blake,C. rotunda Blake, C. dugesii Watson (N Mexico) and C. paraguariensis Martius (S Brazil). All these show some characters which are somewhat atypical of the species but which are nevertheless thought best placed here.Extensive research leaves us in complete agreement with Earle Smith (1960) with regard to the synonymy of C. odorata and C. mexicana. Typically C. odorata is reputed to possess leaflets which are sessile, subsessile or with petiolules up to 5 mm long. Cedrela mexicana on the other hand is stated to have leaflets with conspicuous petiolules, usually exceeding 5 mm in length. Our extensive research has shown that many intermediate types from sessile to petiolulate leaflets exist in herbarium collections. It has been further claimed in the literature that the leaflets of C. odorata are predominantly ovate, with an acute apex and a glabrous lower surface. Those of C. mexicana are lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate with puberulent midrib and scattered hairs on the lateral nerves; the apex is described as acuminate. Again every possible intermediate exists between these two extreme types.It is noticeable however that herbarium specimens labelled C. mexicana often dry a very light or pale green whereas those of C. odorata are darker, brownish or blackish green when dry. No further differences in the shape of the leaflets, presence or absence or amount of pubescence, form of the flowers and fruits are detectable. A number of collectors and observers in the field have noted that some trees smell of garlic when damaged whilst others do not. Information on this point is however rarely recorded on herbarium sheets so that correlations cannot be attempted.A variant in Central America, C. longipes S. F. Blake, has also been placed here, but may merit recognition as a distinct taxon. The leaflets are broadly lanceolate with long-caudate apices, similar in shape to those of C. lilloi. All, however, possess very long, slender petiolules varying in length from 2.0-3.5 cm. Specimens have been collected in Honduras and Guatemala in full leaf and flower between March and May when the common C. odorata is normally leafless and with mature fruits.
Cedrela odorata produces the famous Spanish cedar of commerce, a timber which is highly regarded for joinery of all kinds including cabinet making. The timber was formerly much favoured for making cigar boxes. It is light in weight, pinkish or reddish-brown in colour and very fragrant. The species is one of the world’s most important hardwoods now grown as a plantation crop and is being tried throughout the tropics on a large scale. As the tree has been the subject of very great commercial interest for over 200 years its distribution has been very much diminished by excessive exploitation over its entire range in tropical Latin America. Large trees of good form and size are now rarely found. Its natural range is thus obscured by exploitation, by forestry plantings and by trees which have escaped from cultivation.Included within our concept of C. odorata are many specimens placed by Earle Smith in his "C. angustifolia." We have found it impossible to keep these separate on any combination of characters (see under "Imperfectly Known Species")- A number of taxa described from the extreme northern and southern extremes of the enormous geographical range of this species have also been placed in synonymy. Among these should be noted especially C. ciliolata Blake,C. rotunda Blake, C. dugesii Watson (N Mexico) and C. paraguariensis Martius (S Brazil). All these show some characters which are somewhat atypical of the species but which are nevertheless thought best placed here.Extensive research leaves us in complete agreement with Earle Smith (1960) with regard to the synonymy of C. odorata and C. mexicana. Typically C. odorata is reputed to possess leaflets which are sessile, subsessile or with petiolules up to 5 mm long. Cedrela mexicana on the other hand is stated to have leaflets with conspicuous petiolules, usually exceeding 5 mm in length. Our extensive research has shown that many intermediate types from sessile to petiolulate leaflets exist in herbarium collections. It has been further claimed in the literature that the leaflets of C. odorata are predominantly ovate, with an acute apex and a glabrous lower surface. Those of C. mexicana are lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate with puberulent midrib and scattered hairs on the lateral nerves; the apex is described as acuminate. Again every possible intermediate exists between these two extreme types.It is noticeable however that herbarium specimens labelled C. mexicana often dry a very light or pale green whereas those of C. odorata are darker, brownish or blackish green when dry. No further differences in the shape of the leaflets, presence or absence or amount of pubescence, form of the flowers and fruits are detectable. A number of collectors and observers in the field have noted that some trees smell of garlic when damaged whilst others do not. Information on this point is however rarely recorded on herbarium sheets so that correlations cannot be attempted.A variant in Central America, C. longipes S. F. Blake, has also been placed here, but may merit recognition as a distinct taxon. The leaflets are broadly lanceolate with long-caudate apices, similar in shape to those of C. lilloi. All, however, possess very long, slender petiolules varying in length from 2.0-3.5 cm. Specimens have been collected in Honduras and Guatemala in full leaf and flower between March and May when the common C. odorata is normally leafless and with mature fruits.
Distribution and Ecology: In Mexico along the Pacific coast from the State of Sinaloa (lat. 26°N) to Guerrero and Chiapas and on the subtropical Atlantic coast from Tamaulipas to Yucatan. Throughout lowland Central America and South America to northern Argentina (lat. 28°S); also occurring in most of the Caribbean Islands. It is absent from Chile. It occurs in both dry and moist lowland deciduous forest, up to 1200 m alt., and prefers well-drained soils, apparently avoiding areas which are flooded or badly drained. Often associated with other Meliaceae (Swietenia and Guarea spp.) and leguminous trees. It is a strong light demander and appears frequently as a fast-growing pioneer species in secondary forest. Often protected and seen growing in cultivated fields, orchards and plantations. Sometimes used as a shade tree over coffee.
Field Characters: A deciduous timber tree with dense rounded or flattish crown of several large, erect or arching branches, up to 30-35 m tall or more (50-60 m have been recorded); bole up to 1.5 m diameter, sometimes with low blunt buttresses ca. 1 m high. Bark (as in all Cedrela spp.) very characteristic; greyish-brown to grey-black, regularly and evenly furrowed or fissured longitudinally (Fig. 76a). The branchlets, bark and immature fruits of most trees smell offensively of garlic when broken or crushed. The gynophore of this and apparently all the other species is yellowish-orange. The greenish-white or off-white flowers, which have an unpleasant smell, are produced in great profusion in Central America in May, June and July. The fruits mature in April and May of the following year when the tree is leafless.
Distribution:
Mexico North America| Chiapas Mexico North America| Tabasco Mexico North America| Veracruz Mexico North America| Oaxaca Mexico North America| Campeche Mexico North America| Veracruz Mexico North America| Puebla Mexico North America| Michoacán Mexico North America| Yucatán Mexico North America| Jalisco Mexico North America| San Luis Potosí Mexico North America| Nayarit Mexico North America| Sinaloa Mexico North America| Tamaulipas Mexico North America| Durango Mexico North America| Guatemala Central America| Santa Rosa Guatemala Central America| Retalhuleu Guatemala Central America| Petén Guatemala Central America| Belize Central America| Toledo Belize Central America| Cayo Belize Central America| Corozal Belize Central America| Honduras Central America| Morazán Honduras Central America| Copán Honduras Central America| Colón Honduras Central America| Atlántida Honduras Central America| Cortés Honduras Central America| El Salvador Central America| San Vicente El Salvador Central America| La Paz El Salvador Central America| San Salvador El Salvador Central America| Nicaragua Central America| Matagalpa Nicaragua Central America| Estelí Nicaragua Central America| Chinandega Nicaragua Central America| Costa Rica South America| Puntarenas Costa Rica Central America| Limón Costa Rica Central America| Guanacaste Costa Rica Central America| Panama Central America| Darién Panamá Central America| Chiriquí Panamá Central America| Canal Zone Panamá Central America| Bocas del Toro Panamá Central America| Cuba South America| Isla de la Juventud Cuba South America| Piñar del Río Cuba South America| Matanzas Cuba South America| Cayman Islands South America| Jamaica South America|
Mexico North America| Chiapas Mexico North America| Tabasco Mexico North America| Veracruz Mexico North America| Oaxaca Mexico North America| Campeche Mexico North America| Veracruz Mexico North America| Puebla Mexico North America| Michoacán Mexico North America| Yucatán Mexico North America| Jalisco Mexico North America| San Luis Potosí Mexico North America| Nayarit Mexico North America| Sinaloa Mexico North America| Tamaulipas Mexico North America| Durango Mexico North America| Guatemala Central America| Santa Rosa Guatemala Central America| Retalhuleu Guatemala Central America| Petén Guatemala Central America| Belize Central America| Toledo Belize Central America| Cayo Belize Central America| Corozal Belize Central America| Honduras Central America| Morazán Honduras Central America| Copán Honduras Central America| Colón Honduras Central America| Atlántida Honduras Central America| Cortés Honduras Central America| El Salvador Central America| San Vicente El Salvador Central America| La Paz El Salvador Central America| San Salvador El Salvador Central America| Nicaragua Central America| Matagalpa Nicaragua Central America| Estelí Nicaragua Central America| Chinandega Nicaragua Central America| Costa Rica South America| Puntarenas Costa Rica Central America| Limón Costa Rica Central America| Guanacaste Costa Rica Central America| Panama Central America| Darién Panamá Central America| Chiriquí Panamá Central America| Canal Zone Panamá Central America| Bocas del Toro Panamá Central America| Cuba South America| Isla de la Juventud Cuba South America| Piñar del Río Cuba South America| Matanzas Cuba South America| Cayman Islands South America| Jamaica South America|
Common Names:
cedro, Cedro paraíso, Cedro rojo, Nogal Cimarron, Cedro Cobano, Cedro real, Cedro cebolla, Cedro bianco, Cedro oloroso, Cedro caoba, Cedro Colorado, Cedro de castilla, cedro amargo, Cedro Colorado, Cedro hembra, Cedro cubano, Cedro rosa, Cedro pardo, Cedro vermehlo, Acujú, Cèdre, Cèdre rouge, Acajou amer, Acajou rouge, Acajou à meuble, Ceder, Lélí, Cedro rojo, Cedrela, Cedar, Cigarbox, Red Cedar
cedro, Cedro paraíso, Cedro rojo, Nogal Cimarron, Cedro Cobano, Cedro real, Cedro cebolla, Cedro bianco, Cedro oloroso, Cedro caoba, Cedro Colorado, Cedro de castilla, cedro amargo, Cedro Colorado, Cedro hembra, Cedro cubano, Cedro rosa, Cedro pardo, Cedro vermehlo, Acujú, Cèdre, Cèdre rouge, Acajou amer, Acajou rouge, Acajou à meuble, Ceder, Lélí, Cedro rojo, Cedrela, Cedar, Cigarbox, Red Cedar