Vol. 33, pp. 107-112 December 30, 1920 



PROCEEDINGS 



OP THB 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



FIVE NEW SPECIES OE CEDRELA. 



BY S. F 4 BLAKE. 



Recent study of the material of Spanish cedar (Cedrela) in 

 the United States National Herbarium, in connection with the 

 determination of a species of the genus from Guatemala which 

 will be described in another connection, has led to the detection 

 of five apparently new members of the genus from Mexico, 

 Central America, and South America. In Casimir DeCan- 

 dolle's original treatment of this genus in 1878 1 nine species 

 were recognized from America in addition to two doubtful 

 ones and one (C. alternifolia (Mill.) Steud.) which was con- 

 sidered as probably to be excluded from the family. Numerous 

 species have since been described, chiefly by DeCandolle, the 

 recognized authority on the family, and in a key to the American 

 species given by him 2 in 1907 twenty-five species are recognized. 

 Adding to these C. saxatilis Rose, omitted from DeCandolle's 

 key, and the species since described, the total number of species 

 of Cedrela now recognized from America, including the five 

 here first published, is brought to 34. 



As is well known, the wood of many species of Cedrela is of 

 much economic importance, being very permanent, easy to 

 work, and having an agreeable odor. It is much used for the 

 manufacture of moth-proof chests, furniture, and cigar boxes, 

 and in the regions where it is native it is used for shingles, 

 canoes, and other articles which have to withstand the weather. 



» Mon. Phan. I : 735. 1878. 



2 Ann. Cons. Jard. Geneve 10 : 168. 1907. 



24 — Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., Vol. 33, 1920. (107) 



