Ocotea porosa (Nees & Mart.) Barroso, commonly known as "imbuia", "canela-imbuia" or "imbuiaamarela" in Brazil, is a tree of the Southern Atlantic Forest. The present study investigates the anatomy of leaf and stem, volatile oil chemistry, as well as cytotoxicity and insecticidal activities of the essential oil of O. porosa. Species identification was achieved by anatomy features, mainly due to paracytic and anomocytic stomata; non-glandular trichomes; biconvex midrib and petiole with a collateral open arc vascular bundle; presence of a sclerenchymatous layer, starch grains and crystal sand in the stem; and the presence of HIGHLIGHTS The anatomy features were useful for identification of Ocotea porosa. The major volatile compounds were α-pinene, β-pinene and bicyclogermacrene. Essential oil of O. porosa was cytotoxic against McCoy, B16F10 and MCF7cell lines. The cytotoxic mechanism might be related to apoptotic events. Insert 1-4 highlights no longer than 85 characters. Insert a highlight no longer than 85 characters. Insert a highlight no longer than 85 characters. • Insert a highlight no longer than 85 characters.