Brazilian Rosewood, Rosewood-oil tree
Aniba rosaeodora

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

Brazilian Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) is an endangered species that grows in parts of the tropical rainforest of South America. It is a fragrant evergreen tree with a narrow, ellipsoid crown and grows up to 30 m in height and 2 m in diameter. The leaves are leathery and narrowly oval in shape. The dull red flowers group together. The fruit is a drupe. It is known as a great source of rosewood oil, an essential oil which is commercially used especially in perfume and baked goods. However, extraction process requires taking down the whole tree from the wild. The essential oil, like the bark, is used as well as treatment for acne, coughs, colds, fevers, headaches, infections, dermatitis, frigidity, nausea, nervous tension, and wounds. It is also used in skin care. The wood is used for furniture, boat or canoe, flooring, and tool handles among others. Other Names: Cara-cara, Pau rosa, Pala rosa.

Aniba rosaeodora is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 15 m (49ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 20

Where it is found

An understorey tree in lowland to submontane, non-seasonal, rainforest, especially on clay soils, developing well in forest clearings. Also recorded from areas of mountain savannah forest at elevations up to 1,280 metres.

Northern S. America - northern Brazil, Surinam, French Guiana.

Conservation Status: Endangered

Countries/locations it is found in

Found In: Amazon, Brazil, Guiana, Guyana, Mexico, North America, South America, Suriname, Venezuela.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

The essential oil from the wood is used as a flavouring in commercial foods such as confectionary, chewing gum, baked goods and frozen desserts.

Oil: Oil

Medicine

Rating: 3

The bark and the essential oil obtained from the wood are analgesic, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, deodorant, stimulant and tonic. They are used in the treatment of acne, colds, coughs, dermatitis, fevers, frigidity, headaches, infections, nausea, nervous tension, skin care and wounds.

Analgesic: Relieves pain.

Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.

Anticonvulsant: used to control (prevent) seizures (convulsions)

Antidepressant: Used to alleviate mood disorders, such as major depression and dysthymia and anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder.

Antidermatosic: Prevents or cures skin complaints.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.

Deodorant: Masks smells. Is this medicinal?

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 4

Other uses rating: High (4/5). Agroforestry Uses: A pioneer species, growing well in open spaces. Other Uses The wood contains a volatile essential oil. It is used in perfumery. Rosewood oil contains high concentrations of linalool, which can be transformed into a number of derivatives for the flavour and fragrances industry. The oil has for a long time been used in the preparation of more expensive perfumes and at one time in fragrant soaps. The lustrous yellow wood is used for making chests and drawers. The timber is also of some commercial value in furniture-making, turnery, boat or canoe building, millwork, flooring, plywood, veneer and the making of agricultural implements and tool handles.

Deodorant: A pleasant smelling plant that is used on the body to mask the human smell.

Essential: Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Pioneer: Plants, usually trees and shrubs, that can be used to reforest land.

Soap: Plants used directly as a soap substitute.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

A plant of lowland to medium elevations in the moist tropics. A light-demanding species, even when young. Found mainly on clay soils in the wild. When the essential oil is wanted, the tree is harvested when 10 - 15 years old and chipped for steam distillation.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a lightly shaded position in a seedbed or in individual containers. The seed needs light to germinate. A low germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 35 - 56 days.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Brazilian Rosewood, Rosewood-oil tree. Other Names: Cara-cara, Pau rosa, Pala rosa.

Synonyms

Aniba duckei Kosterm.