Sweetwood (Nectandra membranacea, Fl. Brit. W. I.: 282 (1860))

Family: Lauraceae

Author: (Sw.) Griseb.

Bibliography: Fl. Brit. W. I.: 282 (1860)

Year: 1860

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Nectandra

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Sweetwood, scientifically known as Nectandra membranacea, is a fascinating species belonging to the Lauraceae family. Described in historical botanical literature, notably in the “Flora of the British West Indies” on page 282 in 1860 by the author (Sw.) Griseb., this plant is rooted in rich botanical history.

The Sweetwood tree thrives predominantly in regions stretching from Mexico down through Tropical America, flourishing in the lush, diverse climates these areas offer. In its native habitats, Sweetwood is an integral part of the local ecosystem, contributing to the biodiversity and balance of these tropical environments.

This species, like many in the Lauraceae family, showcases aromatic properties and has been of interest for various uses, both practical and ornamental. Sweetwood’s aromatic qualities and its role within its native range make it a subject of study in both botanical and ecological fields.

Overall, Nectandra membranacea stands out as a plant of significant botanical interest, with a longstanding presence in the natural world of Tropical America and a noteworthy place in historical botanical documentation.

Common Names

Por: canela-branca
Eng: sweetwood
En: Sweetwood
Pt: Canela branca, Canela-branca

Synonyms

• Nectandra bondarii (Coe-Teix.)
• Nectandra cuspidata var. macrocarpa (Nees)
• Nectandra cuspidata var. strumosa ((Griseb.) Meisn.)
• Persea membranacea ((Sw.) Spreng.)
• Laurus membranacea (Sw.)
• Nectandra standleyi (C.K.Allen)
• Borbonia membranacea ((Sw.) J.Presl)
• Nectandra trinitatis (Brooks)
• Nectandra williamsii (O.C.Schmidt)
• Nectandra laevis (Mez)
• Oreodaphne strumosa (Griseb.)
• Ocotea membranacea ((Sw.) R.A.Howard)
• Nectandra skutchii (C.K.Allen)
• Nectandra raimondii (O.C.Schmidt)
• Nectandra leucothyrsus (Meisn.)

Distribution

• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 9, 2012 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2008 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 7, 2019 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-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.

Other

Taken May 9, 2012 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2008 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

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

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

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

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

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2008 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Flower

Taken Feb 28, 2022 by rossana bullo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2008 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2008 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

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

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

Habit

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

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

Taken Jan 9, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 9, 2012 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5371736)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:466773-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Nectandra membranacea (Sw.) Griseb.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth