Taxonomic Classification

• Kingdom : Plantae
• Subkingdom : Tracheophyta
• Division : Angiosperms (flowering plants)
• Order : Laurales
• Family : Lauraceae
• Genus : Aniba
• Species : Aniba rosaeodora
• Rosewood

Description

Aniba rosaeodora, more commonly known as Rosewood, is a tree in the Lauraceae family, well known for its aromatic wood and for the production of essential oil used in perfumery.

• Size : This tree can reach a height of 20 to 30 meters, with a trunk that can have a diameter of 1 to 2 meters.
• Leaves : Simple, alternate, leathery, and elliptical to oblong. They measure between 10 and 20 cm long. Young leaves often turn a reddish color before turning dark green at maturity.
• Flowers : The flowers are small, pale yellow to creamy white, grouped in panicles. They are hermaphroditic and give off a pleasant fragrance.
• Fruits : The fruits are ovoid or ellipsoid berries, 2 to 3 cm long, purple in color when ripe, containing a single seed.

Habitat and ecology

Aniba rosaeodora is a species native to the Amazon rainforest, primarily in Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, and Guyana. It prefers well-drained, organic-rich soils typical of tropical rainforests. The species plays an ecological role as a component of rainforest canopies, providing shade and shelter for many species of Amazonian fauna.

Habitat

• Regions of origin : Tropical forests of the Amazon, particularly in Brazil, Guyana, Peru and Venezuela, but also in the Caribbean.

Use and properties

The Aniba rosaeodora tree is renowned for its essential oil, rich in linalool, used in perfumery and cosmetics.

Rosewood oil is extracted from the wood and bark by steam distillation. It is widely used in luxury perfume formulations.

Although its primary use is in perfumery, the essential oil also has therapeutic properties, such as relaxing and antiseptic effects. It is sometimes used in aromatherapy to soothe stress and nervous tension.

Rosewood, due to its durability and fragrance, has been used in the manufacture of furniture and decorative objects.

Importance and threat

Aniba rosaeodora is considered a critically endangered species, primarily due to overexploitation for its wood and essential oil. Industrial demand, especially in the 1900s, led to massive overexploitation of this species. In response, several conservation initiatives, including forest regeneration and sustainable plantations, have been implemented to protect this resource.

• Conservation: The species is listed in Appendix II of CITES, which regulates international trade in endangered species. Reforestation programs are underway in parts of the Amazon.

Sources

1. Maia, J.G.S., Zoghbi, M.G.B., Andrade, E.H.A. (2002). Essential Oils of the Lauraceae Family from the Brazilian Amazon. Flavour and Fragrance Journal.
2. Langenheim, J.H. (2003). Plant Resins: Chemistry, Evolution, Ecology, and Ethnobotany.