Cedrela fissilis

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Cedrela fissilis
Acaju-catinga (do tupi akaiukatinga), ou cedro-rosa, cedro, acaiaca. 03.jpg
In Brazil
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Meliaceae
Genus: Cedrela
Species:
C. fissilis
Binomial name
Cedrela fissilis

Cedrela fissilis is a species of tree in the family Meliaceae. It is native to Central and South America, where it is distributed from Costa Rica to Argentina. [2] Its common names include Argentine cedar, [2] cedro batata, cedro blanco, "Acaju-catinga" (its Global Trees entry) and cedro colorado. [1]

Contents

Once a common lowland forest tree, this species has been overexploited for timber and is now considered to be endangered. A few populations are stable, but many have been reduced, fragmented, and extirpated. The wood is often sold in batches with Cuban cedar (Cedrela odorata). [1]

Taxonomy

Original Description

Cedrela fissilis was first described by José Mariano da Conceição Vellozo in Florae Fluminensis (1829). The original protologue reads (translated): [3]

C. fissilis. Flowers in racemose, compound inflorescences; leaves hairy beneath. (Tab. 68.a T. 2)Observations.Both species yield timber of the highest quality for construction. It is said that on the Island of São Sebastião there stands a Cedrela of such enormous size that from it a boat (scapha) could be made measuring 11 palms in width. For this to be true, the trunk would necessarily have a circumference of 44 palms.

Botanical illustration of Cedrela fissilis from Jose Mariano da Conceicao Vellozo's Florae Fluminensis, Icones (Vol. 2, Tab. 68.a T. 2, 1829). Cedrela fissilis Vellozo Florae Fluminensis Tab 68a.png
Botanical illustration of Cedrela fissilis from José Mariano da Conceição Vellozo’s Florae Fluminensis, Icones (Vol. 2, Tab. 68.a T. 2, 1829).

Taxonomic history

Cedrela brasiliensis was first described by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in Flora Brasiliensis Meridionalis (1829), based on material collected in Minas Gerais, Brazil. [5] Jussieu distinguished a southern variant, var. australis, from specimens near Montevideo, noting denser pubescence on the branches, petioles, peduncles, and petals, and questioned whether this form might represent a distinct species. Both C. brasiliensis and its variety australis are now regarded as synonyms of C. fissilis. [6] [7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Barstow, M. (2018). "Cedrela fissilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018 e.T33928A68080477. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T33928A68080477.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Cedrela fissilis. Germplasm Resources Information Network. USDA ARS.
  3. ↑ Vellozo, José Mariano da Conceição (1829). Florae Fluminensis (in Latin). Rio de Janeiro: Typographia Nacional. p. 75. C. fissilis. C. floribus racemosis, compositis, foliis subtus pilosis. (Tab. 68.a T. 2)
  4. ↑ Vellozo, José Mariano da Conceição (1829). Florae Fluminensis, Icones (in Latin). Vol. 2. Rio de Janeiro: Typographia Nacional. p. 72.
  5. ↑ Jussieu, Adrien-Henri (1829). Flora Brasiliensis Meridionalis. Vol. 2. Paris: A. St.-Hil. p. 86.
  6. ↑ "Cedrela brasiliensis var. australis A.Juss". World Flora Online. WCSP (in review). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  7. ↑ "Cedrela fissilis Vell". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 9 December 2025.

https://globaltrees.org/threatened-trees/trees/acaju-catinga/

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