Cedrus libani
Lebanon cedar
Cedrus libani, commonly known as the Cedar of Lebanon, is a majestic coniferous tree renowned for its historical and medicinal significance. Traditionally used to treat respiratory ailments and skin conditions, its fragrant resin and essential oils possess potent antimicrobial properties, making it a cornerstone in ancient herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Cedrus libani
- Family: Pinaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Pinidae and order Pinales, it is a member of the family Pinaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Cedrus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Pinidae | WCVP |
| Order | Pinales | WCVP |
| Family | Pinaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cedrus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cedrus libani, is referred to by various common names depending on the language. In French, it is called cèdre du Liban, while in Hebrew, it is known as ארז הלבנון. Moving to Eastern Europe, it is called Кедр ліванскі in Belarusian and Cedr libański in Polish. Additionally, in Basque, the species is identified as Libanoko zezdro.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| eu | Libanoko zedro | Wikidata |
| pl | Cedr libański | Wikidata |
| be | Кедр ліванскі | Wikidata |
| he | ארז הלבנון | Wikidata |
| fr | cèdre du Liban | Wikidata |
| hu | libanoni cédrus | Wikidata |
| lv | Libānas ciedrs | Wikidata |
| gl | Cedro do Líbano | Wikidata |
| sw | Mwerezi | Wikidata |
| et | Liibanoni seeder | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific range across several key regions of the Mediterranean and surrounding areas. In Western Asia, its presence is notably established in Lebanon-Syria and Türkiye. The species can also be found on the island of Cyprus within the same western region. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, its distribution extends into Bulgaria. Finally, although its core range is more southern, it can be located in Northern Europe within Great Britain.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Cyprus | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Lebanon-Syria | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Türkiye | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Cedar of Lebanon, possesses various parts that have historically been utilized for their unique properties. The aromatic wood is perhaps its most famous component, prized for its durability and fragrant resin, which has been used in traditional medicine and incense. The needle-like leaves, or foliage, are evergreen and contain essential oils that contribute to the plant's distinct scent. Additionally, the large, woody cones serve as the reproductive structures of the tree, housing the seeds and contributing to the overall chemical profile of the species.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| wood | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cedrus libani has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Sesquiterpenes, germacrene D.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Sesquiterpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| germacrene D | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cedrus libani has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Cancer, wound healing.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |