The trees known as “canela” belong to the genera Ocotea and Nectandra (Lauraceae) and are difficult to identify at the genus and species level based on their wood. The present work describes anatomical and organoleptic characteristics of the wood of Ocotea and Nectandra species that can be used for identification. Wood discs were collected at breast height (BH 1.30 m) from trunks of Nectandra megapotamica, N. lanceolata, Ocotea porosa, O. puberula, O. pulchella and Ocotea sp., in four municipalities in the interior of Santa Catarina State. The macroscopic anatomy and organoleptic characteristics were described based on standard techniques used in wood anatomy studies. The results show that the species of Nectandra and Ocotea can be separated by their axial parenchyma distinctness, diagonal arrangement of vessels, wood color and odor. A dichotomous key to the studied species of Lauraceae is also provided. The present work found that it was possible to identify the species studied using macroscopic anatomy and organoleptic properties of the wood; however, it was not possible to distinguish Ocotea from Nectandra.