Cedar Wood, West Indian Cedar, SpanishCedar, Cigar-box Cedar, Cedro Hembra

Cedrela odorata

Physical Characteristics

Cedrela odorata is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 30 m (98ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Tropical America - Mexico to Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and French Guyana and the Caribbean.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Use: The young leaves are eaten.

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Anthelmintic Antispasmodic Aromatic Astringent Febrifuge Skin Tonic Vermifuge The bark is aromatic, astringent and tonic[ 348 ]. A cold water infusion of the stem bark is used to treat fevers[ 348 ]. The root and trunk bark is used to reduce fever and pain[ 303 ]. The bark is used to treat sores[ 348 ]. A decoction of the bark and leaves is used as a wash to treat headaches[ 348 ]. A decoction of the leaves is used as a wash to treat fevers[ 348 ]. The leaves and flowers are antispasmodic[ 348 ]. An infusion is used to treat earache[ 348 ]. The trunk is harvested to prepare a decoction for abortion[ 303 ]. Shavings of the wood are used in sweat baths to treat skin eruptions[ 348 ]. The seeds are believed to have vermifugal properties[ 303 ]. An oil obtained from the seed is used to cicatrize wounds[ 348 ]. The fruit is anthelmintic[ 348 ]. The plant contains leucocyanidin, gedunin, methylangolensati 7-desacetoxy-7-ketogedunin, maxicanolid, camphor oil, triterpenes, meliacine, p-cumaric acid and the essential oil cedrelanol[ 348 ].

Known Hazards

In research plots in Papua New Guinea, the latter method has been shown to encourage growth; however, it increases the risk of insect attack. Because of the valuable wood, the native trees of this species are now found only in scattered, remote areas in Puerto Rico, chiefly in the moist limestone and lower cordillera forest regions.