Massoy, Mossoia bark
Cryptocarya massoy

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 25-60 m tall. The trunk can be 30 cm across. The bark has a sweet scent. The leaves are simple and oval but taper to the tip. They can be alternate or in rings. The flowering shoots are 10 cm long and emerge from the base of the leaf. The flowers are in panicles and are white and have a scent. The fruit is fleshy and has one seed.

There are about 200-250 Cryptocarya species. The bark of several Cryptocarya is used to scent coconut oil.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in lowland and mountain rain-forests between 400-1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, SE Asia

How it is used for food

It can be an alternative to clove and a cinnamon substitute.

Edible parts

Bark - spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Pohon medang masoi

Synonyms

Cinnamomum massoy Oken; Cryptocarya aromatica (Becc.) Kosterm.; Cryptocarya novoguineensis Teschner; Massoia aromatica Becc.;