Aniba rosaeodora aka Brazilian Rosewood

Aniba rosaeodora is an evergreen tree in the laurel family, Lauraceae. Its common names include Brazilian rosewood and rosewood-oil tree. It comes from the tropical forests of northern South America. Its range includes Brazil, the Guianas, Venezuela, and Peru. It grows beneath the forest canopy and in clearings. Records also place it in mountain savannah forest.

Garden references give a height of about 66 feet (20 metres). They list a spread of 49 feet (15 metres). Other accounts describe trees reaching 82 feet (25 metres). The largest reported height is 98 feet (30 metres). The crown has a narrow, oval outline. A straight, round trunk supports it. The leaves feel leathery and have a narrow oval shape. Small groups of dull red flowers form on the tree. Its fruit is a drupe, a fleshy fruit with a hard stone.

This tree suits the warm, moist tropics and cannot withstand frost. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 10–12. It needs good light, even as a young tree. PFAF also reports that it can grow in light shade. Keep the soil moist, but allow water to drain well. It grows on sandy, loamy, and clay soils, including heavy clay. Its soil range runs from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. Wild trees often grow on clay. Its ability to grow in open ground gives it value as a pioneer tree.

The wood yields an essential oil rich in linalool. Makers use this oil in perfumes, scented soaps, and food flavourings. Commercial food uses include sweets, gum, baked foods, and frozen desserts. These uses do not establish that raw plant parts are edible. The yellow wood has a sheen and serves several craft uses. These include furniture, turned objects, chests, drawers, boats, and canoes. Local medicinal uses involve both the bark and wood oil. Reported treatments include skin complaints, coughs, fevers, headaches, and wounds. These are recorded uses, not proof of treatment benefits.

Oil extraction poses a major threat to wild trees. Harvesters fell whole trees, chip the wood, and distil the oil. Trees used for oil may be only 10–15 years old. Useful Tropical Plants cites an endangered listing from the 2009 IUCN assessment. The sources report no known hazards. That does not confirm safety for people or pets.