Gmelina
Gmelina arborea
Native Region
South and Southeast Asia
Max Height
25-35 meters
Family
Lamiaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1000m
Regions
- Guanacaste
- Puntarenas
- Alajuela
- Limón
- San José
Season
Flowering
Feb-Apr
Fruiting
Apr-Jun
Gmelina
Gmelina (Gmelina arborea), known locally as Melina, is one of the world's fastest-growing trees, capable of producing harvestable timber in just 5-8 years. This remarkable growth rate has made it a cornerstone of Costa Rica's plantation forestry industry, providing sustainable wood for pulp, construction, and furniture.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Gmelina arborea
- Family
- Lamiaceae (Mint)
- Max Height
- 25-35 m
- Flowering
- February-April
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Habitat
- Lowland tropical forests
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
1800
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 Gmelina in Costa Rica
Plantation Regions:
- Northern Zone — Major growing area
- Atlantic Lowlands — Extensive plantations
- Guanacaste — Some plantations
- Central Pacific — Various sites
Elevation: Sea level to ~1,000 m
Habitat & Ecology
Growth Characteristics
Gmelina's remarkable growth:
- Extremely fast — 3-5 m height/year possible
- Short rotation — Harvestable at 5-8 years
- Coppices well — Multiple harvests possible
- Site adaptable — Tolerates varied soils
- Pioneer species — Colonizes open areas
Wildlife Value
Ecological interactions:
- Flowers — Attract bees and butterflies
- Fruits — Eaten by birds and mammals
- Leaves — Fodder for livestock
- Shade — Quick canopy establishment
- Limited biodiversity — Monoculture issues
Gmelina is primarily grown in managed plantations for pulp and wood products. Its fast growth makes it economically attractive, though pure plantations support less biodiversity than native forests.
Botanical Description
Gmelina develops a relatively straight trunk in plantations but can be crooked when open-grown. The crown is typically open and spreading.
Wood Properties
Appearance
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 400-500 kg/m³ | Light wood |
| Grain | Straight to interlocked | Variable |
| Texture | Fine to medium | Smooth finish |
| Durability | Low to moderate | Needs treatment outdoors |
| Workability | Excellent | Peels and machines well |
Gmelina's light color, low density, and excellent fiber characteristics make it ideal for pulp and paper production. It produces high-quality pulp with good brightness and strength.
Uses
Major commercial applications:
- Pulp and paper — Primary industrial use
- Plywood — Core and face veneers
- Particleboard — Composite panels
- Packaging — Crates and boxes
- Matchsticks — Traditional use in Asia
Conservation Status
Conservation Status: Abundant
Gmelina populations are thriving:
- IUCN: Least Concern
- Native range: Stable
- Plantations: Millions of hectares globally
- Costa Rica: Major plantation species
- Expanding cultivation worldwide
Growing Gmelina
Easy to propagate:
- Seeds — No pretreatment needed
- High germination rate (60-90%)
- Cuttings — Root easily
- Tissue culture — Commercial clones
- Stumps — Coppices vigorously
Similar Species
Where to See Gmelina Trees
Best Locations in Costa Rica
Plantation Areas:
- Northern Zone — San Carlos, Los Chiles
- Atlantic Lowlands — Guápiles, Siquirres
- Guanacaste — Various locations
- Central Pacific — Some plantations
Tips:
- Look for heart-shaped leaves
- Showy orange-yellow flowers Feb-Apr
- Fast-growing plantation species
- Often near teak plantations
External Resources
Community observations, photos, and distribution data
Global observations
Detailed wood properties and identification
Wood Database
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Dvorak, W.S. (2004). World view of Gmelina arborea. New Forests 28: 207-219
Lauridsen, E.B. & Kjaer, E.D. (2002). Provenance research in Gmelina arborea. DFSC Technical Note 63
Gmelina arborea represents the promise of sustainable plantation forestry. Its remarkable growth rate means that demand for wood products can be met without further depleting natural forests. While not a replacement for native ecosystem conservation, Gmelina plantations in Costa Rica demonstrate how agricultural land can produce valuable timber while reducing pressure on primary forests.
🌳 ¡Pura Vida!
