Indonesian cassia
Cinnamomum burmannii

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 4-11 m tall. The trunk can be 30 cm across. The bark is smooth and dark grey. It is red and cassia scented inside. The small branches are slender and green. The leaves are alternate and oval or sword shaped. They are 5.5-10.5 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They are leathery. The flower stalk is shorter than the leaves. The fruit are berries 5-7 mm across. They are blue.

There are about 250 Cinnamomum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in forests and along streams between 100-1400 m altitude in China in the southern regions. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bali, Cape Verde, China, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, Thailand, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The bark is an important source of spice. It is used as a substitute for cassia bark. The leaves are also used for flavouring.

It is a cultivated crop. An important spice.

Edible parts

Bark, leaves, spice

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. It can be grown from root cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Batavia cassia, Batavia cinnamon, Caneleira, Kami, Korintje cinnamon, Mindanao cinnamon, Padang cassia, Pohon kayumanis, Yin xiang

Synonyms

Cinnamomum ammannii Lukman.; Cinnamomum chinense Blume; Cinnamomum dulcis (Roxb.) Sweet; Cinnamomum chinense Bl.; Cinnamomum hainanense Nakai; Cinnamomum kiamis Nees; Cinnamomum mindanaense Elmer; Cinnamomum thunbergii Lukman; Cinnamomum miaoshanense S. Lee & F.N. Wei; ? Laurus burmannii C.G. & Th. Nees; Laurus dulcis Roxb.;