Vietnamese cassia, Baker's cinnamon
Cinnamomum loureiroi

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows up to 20 m tall. It spreads 5 m wide. The crown is rounded. The leaves are narrowly oval and 12.5 cm long. The flowers are greenish yellow. They are small and in short groups. The fruit are 1 cm long. They are black berries.

There are about 250 Cinnamomum species.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It is best in well-composted, moist, well-drained soils. It needs a protected sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The bark is processed into a spice. It is used in baking and cooking. It is used to flavour cinnamon toast and apple pie. The unripe fruit are dried and sold as cassia buds.

Edible parts

Bark, spice, flower buds

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Nikkei, Nhucque, Que thanh, Saigon cassia, Saigon cinnamon, Yukgyenamu

Synonyms

Laurus cinnamomum Lour. non L.;