Spanish Cedar
Cedrela odorata
- Native to:
- Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Southwest Caribbean, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © huracan (iNaturalist #6002069)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Meliaceae
- Genus:
- Cedrela
- Species:
- Cedrela odorata
- USDA Symbol:
- CEOD
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 3000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
mahogany shoot borer (Hypsipyla grandella)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bats
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers deep soils with good fertility
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 10–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are short-lived and should be sown fresh. Light enhances germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seeds should be collected while pods are still closed, but brown in color, when wings are brown not green, using extendable pruners. Seeds should be placed on plastic mats or screens to ripen in the sun, allowing them to break open naturally. Avoid germination in beds and pricking out with the appearance of the first true leaves as it may cause j-rooting of the tap root. The establishment phase is longer than with other species.
Source: npn.rngr.net