Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata)
Tonka bean tree, also known as cumaru, is a medium-sized to large tropical tree reaching 20–35 meters in height. It has a straight, extremely hard trunk (ironwood) and a broad, sturdy crown typical of slow-growing rainforest species. Its fruits contain the famous tonka beans – seeds with a strong vanilla-almond aroma, valued in perfumery, gastronomy, and traditional medicine.
This species is considered threatened to vulnerable, depending on the region.
Why the tonka bean tree is disappearing
Populations are declining due to a combination of two major pressures:
commercial harvesting of tonka seeds
– tonka beans are highly valuable, and intensive collection limits natural regeneration
logging of extremely hard ironwood
– among the hardest woods in the world, used in luxury furniture and construction
slow growth means the tree needs many decades to reach reproductive maturity.
The combination of these factors causes some populations to disappear faster than they can regenerate.
Importance for nature and people
The tonka bean tree has exceptional value:
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production of tonka beans → an essential raw material for perfumery, food industries, and medicine
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chemically unique species
– its seeds contain coumarin, a compound with a distinctive aroma and notable biological properties -
an ecological pillar of lowland rainforest
– provides shelter and food for birds, mammals, and insects -
its wood helps stabilize soil and contributes to forest structure
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thanks to its longevity, it supports microclimate regulation and nutrient cycling in tropical ecosystems
Without cumaru, species that depend on it decline — especially specialized pollinators and seed-eaters.
Appearance
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Height: 20–35 m
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Trunk: extremely hard, dense “ironwood”
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Crown: broad and stable
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Leaves: large, pinnate, leathery
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Fruits: woody drupes containing the tonka seeds
Where and how to plant
The tonka bean tree grows only in tropical climates.
✔ Ideal locations
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Amazonia — Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia
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Guyana and Suriname
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lowland humid tropical forests
✔ How to plant
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plant in deep, moist, but well-drained soil
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keep young plants in partial shade; adults prefer full sun
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protect from excessive seed harvesting
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plan for slow growth and long lifespan
When to plant
During the rainy season (December–March in Amazonia).
This provides the best start and natural conditions for rooting.
Why plant it
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restores threatened cumaru populations
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protects the source of tonka beans — a valuable resource for humankind
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strengthens biodiversity in lowland rainforests
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helps stabilize ecosystems impacted by logging
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supports traditional, sustainable practices of local communities
