Kemangi cinnamon tree
Cinnamomum porrectum

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

A large tree. It can lose many leaves during the year. It grows 30 m tall. The bark is whitish. It has a aroma and forms cracks. The leaves are narrowly oval and 5-15 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They have a sharp tip. The flowers have both sexes and are in groups near the ends of branches. The groups are 8-10 cm long. The fruit are a flattened round shape and 8 mm across.

There are about 250 Cinnamomum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in hilly country but at low altitudes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The bark is used for flavouring food.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Spice, bark

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Chinta mula hitam, Huru pedes, Kayu gadis, Ki pedes, Laso, Mai zong, Medang benar, Medang kewangi, Medang serai, Pohon kayumanis kemangi, Selasihan, Teja lawang, Teja, Zong guan, Zong hai

Synonyms

Cinnamomum glanduliferum C. Nees; Cinnamomum parthenoxylon (Jack) C. Nees; Cinnamomum sumatranum (Miq.) Meissner; Laurus porrecta Roxb.;