Cedrelopsis grevei

Cedrelopsis grevei, known as katrafay, belongs to the Rutaceae family. This deciduous tree grows only in Madagascar. Its native range covers the island's north, west and south. It lives in a tropical climate with a dry season. Habitats include open woods, scrub, secondary forest and seasonally dry forest. Most sites lie below 1,640 feet [500 metres]. Some reach 2,950 feet [900 metres].

Reference tables list a height of 72 feet [22 metres]. Descriptive accounts give an upper height of 92 feet [28 metres]. One source lists a spread of 66 feet [20 metres]. These figures do not establish a typical garden size. The straight trunk can lack branches for 30 feet [9 metres]. Its usual diameter reaches about 2 feet [0.6 metres]. Some trunks reach 4 feet [1.2 metres] across. The bark has a bitter taste and a strong scent. The tree sheds its leaves, and both leaves and bark yield essential oil.

Growth is slow, with yearly height gains below 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Seven-year-old trees may stand just 1.6–9.8 feet [0.5–3 metres] tall. A small timber pole may take over 40 years to form. Trees can carry male and female flowers on one plant. Others have male and female flowers on separate plants. In those cases, both sexes must grow nearby for seed production. Fresh seed germinates well when sown straight into the ground. Cuttings offer another means of propagation.

Katrafay needs an open site without shade and well-drained soil. It accepts sand, loam and clay across a broad pH range. Soil may be mildly acid, neutral or mildly alkaline. It grows in dry or moist ground and tolerates drought. Wild trees often grow on red or yellow sand. River-valley trees grow taller than those on plateaus. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12 and UK hardiness zone 10.

People use the bark to flavour rum and bitter soft drinks. Traditional medicine uses bark and leaf oils for several ailments. These uses do not establish their safety or medical benefit. Oil composition varies with the place of harvest. The supplied sources report no known hazards, rather than proven safety. The hard, heavy wood serves construction and furniture making. It also provides fuel and charcoal. Its pale heartwood has a fine texture and often straight grain. The wood can blunt tools and split around nails or screws. Harvesting for timber and medicine has caused local overuse. The sources still describe the species as fairly widespread.