Common Name:

General Information

Cinnamomum wilsonii is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 25 metres tall. The bole can be around 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild as a source of essential oil and medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan)

Habitat

Sparse or dense forests on sunny sites of mountain slopes, watersides, valleys; usually at elevations from 800 - 2,400 metres, occasionally descending almost to sea level[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Cinnamomum wilsonii is native to the warm temperate and subtropical zones of central and southern China. It has proven to be hardy in North Carolia, USA, where it has survived temperatures down to at least -8°c without damage. It requires hot summers, however, 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[].

Edible Uses

The leafy branchlets and fruit contain essential oil, which is used as a fragrant ingredient in food[].

Medicinal

The bark is antibacterial, antispasmodic, carminative, stomachic, sedative, sialagogue, vasodilatory[].It is used in the treatment of conditions such as traumatic injuries, abdominal pain, anaemia, lumbago and arthralgia[, ].

The bark contains essential oils (especially phellandrene, eugenol, cinnamic aldehyde, methyleugenol), mucilage and tannins[].

Other Uses

The leafy branchlets and fruit contain essential oil, which is used as a fragrant ingredient in soap[].

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[].