Cedro María
Calophyllum brasiliense
Native Region
Central and South America
Max Height
30-45 meters
Family
Calophyllaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1200m
Regions
- Limón
- Heredia
- Alajuela
- Puntarenas
- San José
- Cartago
Season
Flowering
Mar-Jun
Fruiting
Jul-Oct
Cedro María
Cedro María (Calophyllum brasiliense) is Costa Rica's master of wet soils, thriving in swamps and flooded forests where other timber trees cannot survive. Its beautiful reddish wood and ecological importance make it a treasure of the Caribbean lowlands.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Calophyllum brasiliense
- Family
- Calophyllaceae
- Max Height
- 30-45 m
- Flowering
- March-June
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Habitat
- Wet forests, swamps
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
1500
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's citizen science database. View all observations →↗
Taxonomy & Classification
Geographic Distribution
Geographic Distribution
Where to Find Cedro María in Costa Rica
Primary Distribution:
- Caribbean Lowlands — Most abundant
- Northern Zone — Wetland forests
- South Pacific — Osa Peninsula, wetlands
- Central Valley — River margins (rare)
Elevation: Sea level to ~1,200 m
Habitat & Ecology
Wetland Specialist
Cedro María's ecological niche:
- Flood tolerant — Survives waterlogged soils
- Swamp forest dominant — Key canopy species
- Buttressed — Stability in wet soils
- Deep roots — Anchors in unstable ground
- Evergreen — Year-round canopy
Wildlife Value
Ecological importance:
- Fruits — Eaten by bats, birds, fish
- Flowers — Nectar for bees
- Canopy — Wetland bird habitat
- Roots — Aquatic organism habitat
- Critical wetland species
Cedro María is one of few timber trees that actually prefers flooded soils. It dominates swamp forests and riparian areas, providing essential habitat in ecosystems too wet for other trees. It's a keystone species of Costa Rica's tropical wetlands.
Botanical Description
Cedro María develops prominent buttresses in wet soils for stability. The trunk is typically straight with a dense, rounded crown of glossy dark green foliage.
Wood Properties
Appearance
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 550-650 kg/m³ | Medium weight |
| Grain | Interlocked | Attractive figure |
| Texture | Fine to medium | Smooth finish |
| Durability | Good | Resistant to decay |
| Workability | Good | Despite interlocked grain |
Cedro María wood is prized for its beautiful reddish color, good durability, and workability. The interlocked grain creates attractive striped figure when quarter-sawn.
Uses
High-value applications:
- Fine furniture — Cabinets, tables
- Flooring — Durable and attractive
- Boat building — Traditional dugout canoes
- Construction — Beams, posts, planks
- Veneer — Decorative panels
Conservation Status
Conservation Status: Stable
Population generally healthy:
- IUCN: Least Concern
- Wide distribution in wetlands
- Still common in suitable habitat
- Some local overharvesting
- Wetland habitat under pressure
While globally secure, Cedro María faces localized threats from wetland drainage and selective logging of large trees. Its specialized habitat makes protection of wetland forests essential.
Growing Cedro María
Methods:
- Seeds — Plant fresh for best results
- Remove fleshy coat before planting
- Germination in 3-6 weeks
- Tolerates transplanting well
- Needs consistently moist soil
Similar Species
Where to See Cedro María
Best Locations in Costa Rica
Protected Areas:
- Tortuguero National Park — Swamp forests
- Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge — Wetlands
- Barra del Colorado — Flooded forests
- Corcovado National Park — Wetland areas
Identification Tips:
- Look in swampy or flooded areas
- Yellow latex when bark cut
- Glossy leaves with fine parallel veins
- Often buttressed trunk
- Dense, dark green crown
External Resources
Community observations, photos, and distribution data
Global observations
Detailed wood properties and identification
Wood Database
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Record, S.J. & Hess, R.W. (1943). Timbers of the New World. Yale University Press
Jiménez, Q. et al. (2002). Árboles maderables en peligro de extinción en Costa Rica. INBio
Calophyllum brasiliense is that rare combination — a beautiful timber tree that grows where no others can. In Costa Rica's swamp forests and flooded lowlands, Cedro María stands as a sentinel, its buttressed trunk anchored in waterlogged soils, providing habitat for wetland wildlife while producing some of the most attractive wood in the neotropics. Protecting this species means protecting the wetlands themselves.
🌳 ¡Pura Vida!
