Common Name:

General Information

Cinnamomum parthenoxylon is a tall evergreen tree that can eventually grow up to 45 metres tall[], though it is usually more in the range 10 - 20 metres[]. The bole is usually up to 40cm in diameter, exceptionally to 92cm[, ].
The tree is commonly harvested from the wild as a source of essential oils and flavourings, whilst also being the source of a fixed oil and a good quality wood. Many of these products are traded, and the tree is sometimes cultivated as a spice in gardens in southern China[]. It is also sometimes grown as an ornamental.
In Vietnam, although the species occurs commonly in areas of evergreen rainforest in the north, exploitation of the roots for their commercial essence has caused severe population declines, resulting in the species being classified as 'Critically Endangered' at a national level[]. Over the whole range of this species, however, there is insufficient information to give an accurate assessment of the plant's status. The plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

A mid-canopy tree in undisturbed to disturbed mixed dipterocarp and sub-montane forests; usually on hillsides and ridges with sandy to clay soils, but also on ultrabasic and limestone; at elevations up to 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Data Deficient
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cinnamomum parthenoxylon is a plant of subtropical to tropical areas, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,000 metres, occasionally ascending to 3,000 metres. It grows in regions with all-year rainfall and sometimes also in regions with a distinct dry season[]. The plant is surprisingly cold-tolerant, and has survived temperatures down to at least -8°c without damage in North Carolina, USA[]. However, it requires hot summers in order to fully ripen the current season's growth, otherwise it is more susceptible to winter cold[].
Requires a very sunny position in climates with cooler summers, but otherwise requires some shade from the strongest sun. Prefers an acidic soil with ample moisture in summer[].
Species in this genus are generally able to resprout from basal wood if the top is harmed, and will soon recover from frost damage[].
Succeeds on both fertile and poor soils[].
Plants can be coppiced[].

Edible Uses

The aromatic bark is used as a flavouring[, ].

Medicinal

The wood contains the essential oil safrol, which is used medicinally[].

The roots are used in the treatment of fevers and during childbirth[].

Other Uses

The roots, bark, wood, and leafy branchlets contain essential oil and camphor[].
The wood contains safrol, which is used in perfumery and in medicine[, ].

The fruit kernel contains oil and fat (up to 60%), which are used in soap manufacture[].

The heartwood is orange-red with black streaks; the sapwood is whitish or brownish. It possesses all the necessary characteristics of a first-rate wood which will stand well under any conditions without warping or twisting. It is used for house-building and for shingles, and is suitable for cabinet-making It possesses a slight, pleasant aromatic scent[]. The wood is finely grained and used for furniture making and cabinet work, construction, flooring, utensils and wood carving[, , ].
There are a number of tree species (including this one) from Peninsular Malaysia that are in the family Lauraceae and produce a useful timber that is either not distinct enough in itself, or is in insufficient supply, to warrant being traded individually. These various species have been lumped together under the trade name ‘medang’[].

Propagation

Seed - the seed has a short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[]. Remove the fruit pulp since this can inhibit germination[]. Germination can take 1 - 6 months at 20°c[]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in a warm greenhouse[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first two winters outdoors.
Cuttings of semi-ripe side shoots, 7cm with a heel, early summer/July in a frame with bottom heat[].