Rosewood-oil tree
Aniba rosaeodora

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

A tree. It keeps its leaves from year to year. It is slender and grows 25 m tall and spreads 15 m wide. The leaves are leathery and narrowly oval. They are 14 cm long. The leaves are downy and yellow-brown underneath. The flowers are small and in dull red groups.

There are about 40 Aniba species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs a moist, well-drained soil. It needs a temperature above 15-18°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Brazil, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Mexico, North America, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The wood yields an essential oil know as rosewood oil. It is used to flavour baked goods, sweets, frozen dairy products, and chewing gum.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Wood - oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from ripe seed. They need light to germinate.

Its other names

Local names

Cara-cara, Pau rosa, Pala rosa

Synonyms

Aniba duckei Kosterm.; Aniba rosaeodora var. amazonica Ducke;