Samara length–weight relationships in the endangered Cedro (Cedrela montana Moritz ex Turcz)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cedrela montana Moritz ex Turcz, a ‘nearly threatened’ tree species in Colombia, produces a samara (fruit) that has not been classified in the literature. This article focusses on exploring the length–weight and width–weight relationships in samaras collected in Bogotá City, Colombia, to provide morphological guidelines for identifying C. montana from their samaras. A total of 101 samaras were collected from 12 C. montana trees in an urban forest and were weighed and measured. The average weight of the samaras was 4.86 g, the average width was 19.44 mm, and the average length was 54.53 mm. However, the length of the samaras ranged from 38.72 to 73.35 mm, with widths from 15.32 to 24.03 mm and weights from 2.08 to 9.54. Length–weight relationships showed a moderate to strong correlation of 0.63. Width–weight relationships had a moderate to strong correlation of 0.71. These allometric relationships could be used for identification and conservation purposes.