Andean Cedar

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Andean Cedar

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Surenus bogotensis
• Cedrela subandina
• Surenus montana
• Cedrela rosei
• Cedrela bogotensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Finally, its taxonomic position is completed by its placement in the genus Cedrela.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is documented within the borders of Venezuela. Moving toward the western side of the continent, it can be found inhabiting the diverse landscapes of Colombia and Ecuador. The species also extends its range further south through the territories of Peru. Finally, its geographical reach concludes in the western reaches of Bolivia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cedrela montana is primarily defined by its occupation of montane forest environments, where it thrives within a specific vertical distribution across mountainous landscapes. This species is specifically adapted to high-altitude ecosystems, maintaining a distinct elevational range that begins at 1350 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Within this altitudinal gradient, the plant interacts with varying microclimates, including fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure characteristic of cloud forests and high-elevation tropical zones. Its presence within these specific elevational bounds suggests a specialized niche dependency on the unique soil compositions and moisture regimes found in mid-to-high altitude montane habitats.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1350 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Cedrela montana is characterized by its distinct growth form as a woody tree, standing at a maximum height of 12 m. It is a self-supporting organism that does not exhibit climbing habits, such as lianas or vines, nor does it function as an obligatory or facultative climber. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, maintaining its structure in soil-based environments. The plant is non-parasitic and functions as an independent organism, lacking any epiphytic tendencies such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte; instead, it remains strictly terrestrial throughout its life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Cedrela montana is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that exhibit a highly consistent morphological profile regarding their weight. The seed mass for this species shows no variability within the observed parameters, maintaining a uniform measurement across all samples. Specifically, the seed mass mean is recorded at 0.02 g, which is identical to both the seed mass maximum and the seed mass minimum of 0.02 g. This lack of deviation suggests a highly stabilized reproductive output in terms of individual seed weight, ensuring that each unit produced follows a strict mass standard of 0.02 g.

Seed mass mean:

0.02 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cedrela montana has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, seed.

Fruit

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Seed

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Chemicals

Cedrela montana has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Photogedunin, STIGMASTEROL, oleanonic acid.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Photogedunin

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

STIGMASTEROL

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

oleanonic acid

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences