Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

LAUREL FAMILY (LAURACEAE)
46. Caneldn Ocotea cuneata (Griseb.) Urban
A distinct laurel recognized by : (1) dense, symmetrical,
narrow, conicnl crown; (2) spicy laves,
twigs, and bnrk; (3) tlie young twigs,
lower surface of yo1111g lettves, flower sta ytioles3 ks, and
flowers covered witli dense, reddish-brown, rust,y,
or cinnamon-colored Ilnirs; (4) the leathery obov:tte
leaves, broadest nenr the abruptly sliortrolntpd
apex and grnd~~nlly narro\vecl toll-ard the
ong-pointed, short-stnlked bnse; (5) the s rending
yello\\-is11 flou-ers 1/ inch across in item1
brnndied clusters; and ?G) the elliptic fruits 46
inch long and M inch in dinmeter, with large hemispheric
double-margined cup.
Medium-sized evergreen tree to 50 feet hidl and
1 foot in trunk diameter with straight trunk. Tlie
bnrk is brown or grny, s~~iootl~isli and slightly
warty, on large trunks beco~ning slightly furrowed,
roi~gli, and tliick (1/2 incll). Inner bnrk is brown,
spicy and bitter. Young twigs nre finely liniry
nncl sligl~tly angled, nnd older twigs are gray nnd
hairless.
. Tlie aromatic lenves are nlternnte on short, stout
pt ioles 1/*-1/- e incll long. Blndes nre 4-7 inches
ong and 2-3% inches brond, tliick, not toothed nt
edges. The upper surface is green or dark green
nnil finely hairy or nearly Iinirles, and the lower
surface densely an