Cedro Amargo
Cedrela odorata
Native Region
Mexico to Argentina and the Caribbean
Max Height
30-40 meters (100-130 feet)
Family
Meliaceae
Conservation
VU
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1200m
Regions
- Limón
- Alajuela
- Heredia
- Puntarenas
- San José
Season
Flowering
Mar-May
Fruiting
Jun-Aug
Cedro Amargo
Cedro Amargo (Cedrela odorata), known as Spanish Cedar in English, is one of the most prized timber trees in the Western Hemisphere. Despite its common name, it is not a true cedar but a member of the mahogany family. Its aromatic, rot-resistant wood has been treasured for centuries for fine furniture, cigar boxes, and boat building, making it a tree of immense cultural and economic significance throughout Latin America.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Cedrela odorata
- Family
- Meliaceae (Mahogany)
- Max Height
- 30-40 m (100-130 ft)
- Trunk Diameter
- Up to 2 m
- Conservation
- IUCN Vulnerable
- CITES
- Appendix III
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
3500
Observations
186
Observers
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Taxonomy & Classification
Despite being called "Spanish Cedar" or "Cedro," Cedrela odorata is not related to true cedars (Cedrus species) of the Mediterranean and Himalayas. It belongs to the mahogany family (Meliaceae), alongside big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla). The "cedar" name comes from the similar aromatic, insect-repelling properties of its wood.
Common Names
| Language | Common Name(s) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Cedro Amargo, Cedro Real, Cedro Rojo | Bitter/Royal/Red cedar |
| English | Spanish Cedar, Cigar-box Cedar | Regional variants |
| Portuguese | Cedro-cheiroso, Cedro-rosa | Fragrant/Pink cedar |
| French | Acajou femelle | Female mahogany |
| German | Westindische Zedrele | West Indian cedar |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Cedro Amargo is a large deciduous tree with a straight trunk and an open, spreading crown. It is known for its rapid growth and the distinctive aromatic quality of its wood and crushed leaves.
Distinctive Features
Trunk & Bark
- Bark: Gray-brown, deeply fissured and scaly
- Wood: Pinkish-brown, aromatic, lightweight
- Form: Straight cylindrical trunk
- Buttresses: Small to moderate
- Fragrance: Distinctly aromatic, "cedarwood" scent
Leaves
- Type: Pinnately compound
- Leaflets: 10-22, opposite
- Leaflet Shape: Lanceolate to elliptic
- Size: Leaves 30-60 cm total length
- Scent: Crush leaves for garlic/onion-like odor
- Timing: Deciduous in dry season
Flowers
- Color: Cream to greenish-white
- Size: Small (5-6 mm)
- Arrangement: Terminal panicles, 20-40 cm
- Season: April to June (Costa Rica)
- Fragrance: Sweet, attracts bees
- Gender: Functionally unisexual on same tree
Fruits & Seeds
- Type: Woody capsule
- Size: 2.5-5 cm long
- Shape: Oblong-ellipsoid
- Opening: Splits into 5 valves
- Seeds: Winged, wind-dispersed
- Season: October to February
The easiest way to identify Cedro Amargo in the field is to crush a leaf and smell it. The distinctive garlic-onion odor is unmistakable and quite different from the pleasant cedar scent of the wood. The deeply fissured bark on mature trees is also diagnostic.
Distribution & Habitat
Native Range
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
Cedro Amargo occurs throughout Costa Rica, from the dry forests of Guanacaste to the wet lowlands of the Caribbean. However, centuries of exploitation have made large individuals increasingly rare outside protected areas.
| Province | Prevalence | Notable Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste | Uncommon now | Protected areas, scattered remnants |
| Puntarenas | Uncommon | Osa Peninsula reserves |
| Limón | Increasingly rare | Tortuguero, La Amistad buffer |
| Alajuela | Uncommon | Northern plains, plantations |
| San José | Rare | Central Valley remnants |
| Cartago | Rare | Turrialba area |
Preferred Habitat
- Elevation: Sea level to 1,200 m
- Climate: Dry to wet tropical zones
- Rainfall: 1,200-4,000 mm annually
- Temperature: 20-32°C
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile alluvial preferred
- Light: Full sun (gap colonizer)
- Natural Habitat: Lowland and premontane forests
Ecological Significance
Forest Regeneration
Cedro Amargo is a light-demanding species that thrives in forest gaps and disturbed areas. This pioneer behavior, combined with rapid growth, makes it valuable for reforestation and forest restoration projects. It can grow 2-3 meters per year in optimal conditions.
Wildlife Interactions
Pollinators
- Bees: Primary pollinators
- Moths: Nocturnal pollination
- Wind: Contributes to pollen movement
- Small insects: Various visitors
Seed Dispersers
- Wind: Primary dispersal mechanism
- Gravity: Seeds fall from parent tree
- Water: Can float to new locations
Pest Interactions
- Shoot Borer: Hypsipyla grandella is a serious pest
- Moth larvae: Bore into growing tips
- Impact: Causes multiple stem growth
- Management: Major challenge for plantations
Other Wildlife
- Cavity nesters: Use old trees
- Epiphytes: Host orchids, bromeliads
- Insects: Support various species
The mahogany shoot borer (Hypsipyla grandella) is the main obstacle to Cedro plantations throughout Latin America. The moth larvae bore into the terminal shoot, killing it and causing the tree to develop multiple stems, dramatically reducing timber value. No effective control has been found despite decades of research.
Cultural & Economic Importance
The Ultimate Cigar Wood
Cigar Box Heritage
Cedro Amargo has been the wood of choice for premium cigar boxes and humidors for over 200 years. Its aromatic properties help maintain proper humidity while its natural oils repel tobacco beetles. Cuban cigars, Dominican cigars, and fine cigars worldwide are stored and aged in Spanish cedar. A single high-quality Cedro log can be worth thousands of dollars for this market.
Historical Uses
Uses Table
| Use Category | Application | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Timber | Fine furniture | Cabinets, chests, paneling |
| Cigar Industry | Boxes and humidors | Worldwide standard for premium cigars |
| Musical Instruments | Guitar bodies | Used in acoustic instruments |
| Boat Building | Marine applications | Rot-resistant, valued for boats |
| Carving | Religious figures | Traditional church carvings |
| Medicine | Bark preparations | Traditional fever and pain remedy |
Conservation Status
Current Assessment
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List
- Vulnerable
- CITES Status
- Appendix III (Peru, others)
- Population Trend
- Decreasing
- Main Threats
- Overexploitation, habitat loss
Conservation Concerns
Cedro Amargo has been commercially exploited for over 500 years. The largest, finest specimens have been systematically removed from forests throughout its range. Today: - Large trees are rare even in protected areas - Genetic diversity may be compromised - Natural regeneration is slow in many areas - Illegal logging continues despite protections The species is not at immediate risk of extinction due to its wide range and fast growth, but ecologically and commercially important populations are severely depleted.
Conservation Actions
- Listed on CITES Appendix III by several countries
- Protected in national parks and reserves
- Plantation programs attempted (limited by shoot borer)
- Seed banking and genetic conservation programs
- Community forestry initiatives in some regions
Cultivation & Propagation
Growing Cedro Amargo
Propagation Methods
From Seeds (Standard Method)
- Collect seeds from mature capsules (Oct-Feb)
- Seeds lose viability quickly (weeks to months)
- Sow immediately in nursery beds
- Light soil coverage only
- Germination in 15-25 days
- Transplant at 30-40 cm height
- Full sun required
Plantation Challenges
- Shoot borer attacks young trees
- Mixed planting reduces attack rates
- Enrichment planting in existing forest recommended
Growing Conditions
- Sun: Full sun essential
- Soil: Fertile, well-drained
- Water: Moderate, drought tolerant once established
- Spacing: 8-12 m for timber
- Growth Rate: 2-3 m/year possible
- First Harvest: 25-40 years for timber
Plantation Strategies
- Plant with nurse trees for shoot borer management
- Mixed species plantations more successful
- Enrichment planting in secondary forest
- Select resistant genotypes when available
Identification Guide
How to Identify Cedro Amargo
Definitive Characteristics:
- Pinnate compound leaves with 10-22 leaflets
- Crushed leaves smell of garlic/onion
- Deeply fissured gray-brown bark on mature trees
- Aromatic pinkish wood when cut
- Woody capsules opening into 5 valves
- Winged seeds clustered in open capsules
Where to See Cedro Amargo in Costa Rica
| Location | Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| La Selva Biological Station | Research reservation | Some specimens on trails |
| Corcovado National Park | Guided tours | Rare large individuals |
| Santa Rosa National Park | Open access | Dry forest specimens |
| Monteverde area | Various reserves | Higher elevation relative |
| CATIE, Turrialba | Open to visitors | Demonstration plantings |
| Urban plantings | Various cities | Ornamental specimens |
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Conservation status details
Trade regulation information
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Pennington, T.D. & Muellner, A.N. (2010). A monograph of Cedrela (Meliaceae)
Holdridge, L.R. & Poveda, L.J. (1975). Árboles de Costa Rica Vol. 1
CITES (2023). Review of Significant Trade: Cedrela odorata
When you see a large Cedro Amargo tree today, you're looking at a survivor. Centuries of exploitation have made large specimens rare treasures. These remaining giants are living heritage—links to forests that once produced the wood that built colonial churches, stored the world's finest cigars, and launched countless boats. Support conservation efforts to ensure future generations can experience these magnificent trees.
