Common Name: Brazilian Rosewood

General Information

Brazilian rosewood is an evergreen tree with a narrow, ellipsoid crown; it can grow 20 - 25 metres tall[]. The straight, cylindrical bole is 30 - 50cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild, it yields a valuable timber as well as an essential oil that is much used in perfumery. In addition, it is a popular medicinal plant for the local population.
The tree is being heavily exploited for the essential oil contained in its wood - the whole tree is destroyed by the extraction process[]. This is proving environmentally damaging to the area of the Amazon where it is native[]. The tree is listed as endangered in the IUCN Red List (2009)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

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

Habitat

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[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].

Edible Uses

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

Medicinal

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[].

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[].

Propagation

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[].

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