Lebanon cedar

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cedar of Lebanon
• Cedar-of-Lebanon
• Lebanon Cedar

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Larix cedrus
• Picea cedrus
• Abies cedrus
• Cedrus effusa
• Cedrus libanotica subsp. libani

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cedrus libani is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist across many years and develop into a long-lived, majestic tree. In terms of its ecological classification, the species is categorized as a phanerophyte, a life form defined by its buds being located high above the ground on woody branches, which enables it to thrive in various environmental conditions. This phanerophyte growth habit is consistent across its development, ensuring that its reproductive and vegetative structures are protected and elevated, supporting its extensive lifecycle and structural dominance in its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cedrus libani is characterized by a large, woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial lifestyle. The plant is a self-supporting structure and does not exhibit any climbing or liana-like qualities. In terms of stature, it reaches significant dimensions, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 10 m to a maximum of 35 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cedrus libani is characterized by specialized adaptations to montane environments, most notably through its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 mechanism. In this pathway, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide occurs via the enzyme Rubisco, leading to the formation of a three-carbon compound, a process that is highly efficient in the temperate, cooler climates typically inhabited by this species. To support this carbon fixation, the plant employs a robust hydraulic system designed to manage water transport and minimize cavitation under the physiological stress of high altitudes. Its metabolic processes are closely integrated with seasonal cycles, where transpiration rates and stomatal conductance are regulated to balance gas exchange with water conservation. Furthermore, the physiological resilience of Cedrus libani is supported by its ability to maintain cellular integrity through the accumulation of compatible solutes and specialized secondary metabolites, which aid in osmotic adjustment and protection against cold-induced physiological damage.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cedrus libani is characterized by specific phenological and morphological traits, beginning with its flowering period which typically commences around October, though the timing can be variable throughout the months of the year. The plant produces seeds with highly specific mass parameters, exhibiting a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0868726 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.08333 g to a maximum of 0.0909 g. Regarding the movement of its progeny, the species utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport its seeds away from the parent tree to facilitate colonization.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Oct

Seed mass max:

0.0909 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0868726 g

Seed mass min:

0.08333 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cedrus libani has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Cedrus libani has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Borneol, EO, Germacrene D, Sesquiterpenes, quinic acid.

Borneol

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Germacrene D

1. Natural product research

Sesquiterpenes

1. Planta medica

quinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cedrus libani has 34 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, Allelochemic, Analgesic, Antiacetylcholine.

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacetylcholine

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Antibronchitic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiescherichic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Cedrus libani has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Cancer, wound healing.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations