Cordia alliodora, commonly known as Spanish elm, Ecuador laurel or salmwood. It is a fast-growing, evergreen tree native to tropical rainforests from Mexico to South America, including the Caribbean. This species typically reaches up to 115 feet (35 meters) in height with a straight, cylindrical trunk and a dense, rounded crown. The leaves are large, leathery, and dark green, and the tree produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers that are attractive to bees and butterflies. Flowering usually occurs during the dry season.

Ecuador laurel is valued for its lightweight, aromatic, and termite-resistant wood, making it popular for use in high-quality furniture, cabinetry, and musical instruments such as guitars. It is also used in reforestation projects and as a shade tree in coffee plantations due to its fast growth and beneficial interactions with crops. In cultivation, it requires full sun and well-drained soils but can tolerate a range of soil types. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from regular watering during prolonged dry periods. However, it is important to be cautious with its use outside its native range, as it has become invasive in some Pacific islands, such as Vanuatu, where it can outcompete native species and disrupt local ecosystems.CC BY-SA 4.0