Cedrelopsis grevei

Cedrelopsis grevei is a species of evergreen tree in the family Rutaceae, endemic to the western and southwestern regions of Madagascar. It is commonly known as “havanina” in local Malagasy language. The species is valued for its timber, essential oils, and traditional medicinal applications, and it plays an important ecological role in the dry deciduous forests where it occurs.

Taxonomy

Cedrelopsis grevei was first described by Henri Ernest Baillon and later transferred to the genus Cedrelopsis by J.F. Leroy.

Description

• Size: Small to medium‑sized tree, typically 8–15 m in height, occasionally reaching up to 20 m.
• Trunk: Straight, cylindrical, often with a pale gray bark that fissures with age.
• Leaves: Alternate, compound, imparipinnate with 3–7 leaflets; leaflets are glossy, ovate‑lanceolate, 3–7 cm long, with entire margins and a characteristic aromatic scent when crushed.
• Flowers: Small, bisexual, pale yellow to cream, arranged in axillary panicles; flowering occurs mainly from November to January (Southern Hemisphere summer).
• Fruits: Drupe‑like, fleshy, about 1 cm in diameter, turning brownish when ripe; contains a single seed.

Distribution and Habitat

• Geographic range: Endemic to Madagascar, chiefly in the provinces of Toliara, Atsimo‑Andrefana, and Menabe.
• Elevation: Found from sea level up to 800 m, with a concentration in the 200–500 m band.
• Habitat: Prefers dry deciduous forests, thickets, and rocky outcrops on limestone or lateritic soils. It tolerates periods of drought and moderate fire disturbance, often becoming a component of secondary forest regeneration.

Ecology

• Pollination: Primarily entomophilous; insects such as bees and beetles visit the flowers for nectar and pollen.
• Seed dispersal: Birds and small mammals consume the fleshy fruits and disperse the seeds.
• Role in forest dynamics: Acts as a nurse plant, providing shade and improved micro‑climate conditions that facilitate the establishment of understory species.

Uses

Timber

The wood is moderately hard, dense, and resistant to termites, making it suitable for:

• Construction of houses and fences.
• Production of furniture, tool handles, and charcoal.

Medicinal

Traditional healers use various parts of the tree:

• Bark and leaves: Infusions are employed to treat fever, stomach aches, and skin infections.
• Essential oils: Extracted from leaves and used as an antiseptic and fragrance in local rituals.

Other

• Fuel: Wood is a common source of firewood in rural communities.
• Agroforestry: Occasionally planted as a shade tree in coffee and vanilla plantations.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Cedrelopsis grevei is assessed as Near Threatened (NT) (as of the latest assessment, 2022).
• Threats: Habitat loss due to slash‑and‑burn agriculture, illegal logging, and expanding charcoal production.
• Protection measures: Occurs in several protected areas, such as Kirindy‑Mitea National Park and Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve. Conservation initiatives focus on sustainable harvesting guidelines and community‑based forest management.

References

1. Leroy, J.F. (1975). Flore de Madagascar et des Comores, Famille des Rutacées. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris.
2. Ramanjary, R. et al. (2020). “Population structure and genetic diversity of Cedrelopsis grevei in western Madagascar.” Plant Conservation Journal, 12(3): 145‑158.
3. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2022). Cedrelopsis grevei. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/xxxxxxx/xxxxxxx
4. Rakotonirina, N. (2018). “Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in the Menabe region, Madagascar.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 215: 89‑97.

External Links

• Plants of the World Online – Cedrelopsis grevei
• Madagascar National Parks – Conservation projects involving Cedrelopsis grevei

This entry was compiled from peer‑reviewed botanical literature, conservation assessments, and ethnobotanical studies up to February 2026.