Cedrela odorata
|
Taxon |
Family |
|
Cedrela odorata L. |
Meliaceae |
 |
 |
| The tree in its native habitat, South America Credit: http://www.arbolesornamentales.com/Cedrelaodorata.htm |
A young tree introduced in Hawaii |
Common names: Spanish cedar, Barbados cedar, cigar box cedar, Mexican cedar, West Indian cedar.
Synonyms: Cedrela mexicana Roem.
Life form: Tree
Biology/Ecology:
Dispersal: Winged seeds are wind dispersed and can be blown over several kilometres. Introduced by humans for use as timber tree.
Reproduction: Small five-part greenish white to yellowish/green flowers borne on large, branched inflorescences. Male and female flowers borne on same inflorescence. Female flowers open first. Fruit development lasts around 9 or 10 months. Fruits consist of a woody capsule, about 2 to 4 cm long, which is borne near branch tips. The capsule splits when ripe, usually still attached to the parent tree. Each fruit contains between 40 to 50 winged seeds, each about 20-25mm in length. Seeds germinate vigorously.
Herbivores: The mahogany shootborer (Hypsipyla grandella) are common herbivores of the plant, as well as various snails, slugs and beetles.
Resistant stages: Seeds remain viable for about 10 months.
Habitat:
Native habitat: Semi-deciduous to evergreen lowland, montane rainforests.
Habitat occupied in invaded range: Tropical and sub-tropical forests and forest edges, especially those with well-drained soils and some disturbance.
Habitat requirements:
| Altitude | Up to 1200 metres above sea level. |
| Light | Partial to full sun, intolerant of heavy shade. |
| Temperature | Mean annual temperature between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius. |
| Annual rainfall | Between 800 and 3000 mm, preferring a dry season of between 2 and 5 months long. |
| Soil | Does not grow well on waterlogged or heavy soils. |
Distribution:
Native to Central America, tropical regions of South America, West Indies.
Introduced range: Invasive in tropical regions of Africa (including Tanzania), South Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Australia and Galapagos Islands. Introduced but not invasive in south-eastern USA, Hawaii, Fiji, American Samoa, Micronesia and Tonga.
Impacts:
Ecosystem: Displaces native plants by blocking out sunlight with its large leaves. Spreads very quickly due to prolific seed production and wind dispersal. Quickly invades disturbed areas, blocking natural succession processes. Dense growths of the plant are likely to increase the frequency and intensity of fires, disturbing the forest further and allowing C. odorata and other invasive plants to become widely established.
Health, social and economic: The increased fire risk may disrupt human settlements and affect economic benefits of forest, such as timber.
Management:
Mechanical: Seedlings and saplings can be dug out; large trees can be killed by cutting down at ground level.
Chemical: Hack and squirt application of 50% Tordon 22K has been successful in the Galapagos.
Biological: No information available.
References:
Weber, E., 2003. Invasive Plant Species of the World: A Reference Guide to Environmental Weeds. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK.
ISSG, 2006. Cedrela odorata (shrub, tree). Global Invasive Species Database. Available from http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=343&fr=1&sts=sss (Accessed August 2006).
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER), 2005. Available from http://www.hear.org/pier/species/cedrela_odorata.htm (Accessed August 2006).
Csurches, S. and Edwards, R., 1998. Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia. Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia. Available from http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/weeds-potential/pubs/potential-weeds.pdf (Accessed August 2006).
Cintron, B.B. Cedro Hembra, Spanish-Cedar. USDA Forest Service. Available from http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/cedrela/ordota.htm (Accessed August 2006).
Last updated October 2006
