Cigar-box-cedar (Cedrela odorata, Syst. nat. ed. 10, 2:940. 1759)

Family: Meliaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Syst. nat. ed. 10, 2:940. 1759

Year: 1927

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cedrela

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Cigar-box-cedar, scientifically known as Cedrela odorata, is a notable tree species belonging to the Meliaceae family. This impressive tree is indigenous to regions spanning from Mexico to Tropical America, flourishing in diverse climates within these locales.

Renowned for its aromatic wood, Cedrela odorata has long been cherished for its application in making high-quality cigar boxes, lending the common name, Cigar-box-cedar. The wood’s enticing fragrance is attributed to the tree’s unique chemical composition, making it an ideal choice not only for storing cigars but also for crafting fine furniture and cabinetry.

Historically, the significance of Cedrela odorata was first acknowledged in literature in 1759, as documented by L. in the “Systema Naturae” 10th edition, volume 2, page 940. Since then, the tree has been extensively studied for its ecological and economic importance.

Standing tall within its natural habitat, Cedrela odorata can be identified by its pinnately compound leaves and small, fragrant flowers. These trees typically produce durable, reddish-brown wood that is resistant to termites and other pests, adding to its desirability and economic value in the timber industry.

With its realm extending throughout Mexico and Tropical America, Cedrela odorata plays a vital role in both natural ecosystems and human economies, bridging the gap between nature’s grandeur and human ingenuity. Its presence is a testament to the lush biodiversity characteristic of its native regions, enriching the landscapes where it thrives.

Common Names

Eng: barbados-cedar, mexican cedar, mexican-cedar, spanish cedar, spanish-cedar, west indian-cedar, cigar-box-cedar, red cedar, cigar-box wood
Por: cedro, cedro-branco, cedro-rosa, cedro-vermelho
Spa: cedro colorado, cedro real, cedro rojo
Swe: cigarrlådeträd
Fra: cèdre acajou, cèdre des barbares, acajou rouge, acajou-bois, cedrat
Deu: westindische zeder
En: Cigar-box-cedar, West Indian-cedar, Barbados-cedar, Spanish-cedar, Mexican-cedar, Spanish cedar, Cedro Hembra, Spanish-Ceda, Cigar-box wood, Mexican cedar, Red Cedar, Cedar, Cederwood, Cigar-box Cedar, Stinking Mahogany, West Indian Cedar, Barbados cedar, Ceder, Cigar box cedar, Zwamp ceder
Ar: سيدريلا أودوراتا
Bg: Испански кедър
Zh: Nan mei xiang chun, Yang chun, 西班牙柏木
Fi: Punasetrela
Fr: Cèdre acajou, Cèdre des barbares, Acajou amer, Acajou Rouge, Acajou-bois, Cedrat, Acajou, Cedrela, Acajou femelle, Acajou vrai, Cédre acajou, Cédre des barbares, Cèdre
De: Westindische Zeder, Westindische Zedrele
Ht: Sèd
Id: Suren, Surian
Mk: Мирислива цедрела
No: Vestindisk seder
Fa: سدر اسپانیایی
Pl: Cedrzyk wonny
Pt: Cedro branco, Cedro rosa, Cedro vermelho, Cedro, Cedro-cheiroso, Cedro-branco, Cedro-rosa, Cedro-vermelho
Qu: Kanuwa ruya
Ru: Цедрела душистая
Es: Cedro colorado, Cedro real, Cedro, Cedro amargo, Cedro hembra, Cedro Rojo, Cedrela, Cedro rosado, Cedro cubano, Cedro Bateo, Cedro Cebolla, Cedro Cobano
Sv: Cigarrlådeträd
Zh-tw: 西班牙柏木
Th: Yom-hom
Zh-hant: 西班牙柏木

Synonyms

• Cedrela adenophylla (Mart.)
• Cedrela mexicana var. puberula (C.DC.)
• Cedrela mourae (C.DC.)
• Cedrela occidentalis (C.DC. & Rose)
• Cedrela brownei (Loefl.)
• Cedrela longipes (S.F.Blake)
• Cedrus odorata (Mill.)
• Cedrela sintenisii (C.DC.)
• Cedrela rotunda (S.F.Blake)
• Cedrela cubensis (Bisse)
• Cedrela caldasana (C.DC.)
• Cedrela cedro (Loefl.)
• Cedrela paraguariensis var. multijuga (C.DC.)
• Surenus brownei ((Loefl.) Kuntze)
• Cedrela yucatana (S.F.Blake)
• Cedrela paraguariensis var. brachystachya (C.DC.)
• Cedrela brachystachya ((C.DC.) C.DC.)
• Cedrela whitfordii (S.F.Blake)
• Cedrela paraguariensis var. hassleri (C.DC.)
• Surenus mexicana ((M.Roem.) Kuntze)
• Surenus glaziovii ((C.DC.) Kuntze)
• Surenus guianensis ((A.Juss.) Kuntze)
• Cedrela palustris (Handro)
• Cedrela velloziana (M.Roem.)
• Cedrela odorata var. xerogeiton (Rizzini & Heringer)
• Cedrela paraguariensis (Mart.)
• Cedrela amara (Goebel)
• Surenus paraguariensis ((Mart.) Kuntze)
• Cedrela imparipinnata (C.DC.)
• Surenus velloziana ((M.Roem.) Kuntze)
• Cedrela huberi (Ducke)
• Cedrela glaziovii (C.DC.)
• Cedrela guianensis (A.Juss.)
• Cedrela mexicana (M.Roem.)
• Cedrela hassleri ((C.DC.) C.DC.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 22, 2022 by Nelly (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2019 by Moya Verny Moya (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2022 by Napoleon Edgardo Paz Quevedo (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 25, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2019 by Dan Hingston (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 4, 2021 by de Jesus Gomes Jamile (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2019 by Fernanda Weinstein (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2020 by Christelle GARGAR (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 7, 2021 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 19, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 21, 2020 by Sudesh Gunarathna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2021 by LordKeK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Josée Maheu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2022 by christiane Sylvestre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2020 by Francisco Francisco Augusto Schio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 10, 2001 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3190511)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:51010-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cedrela odorata L.)

Specifications

Growth