Common Name:

General Information

Cinnamomum osmophloeum is a medium-sized, evergreen tree.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and a spice and is traded in local markets. It has potential for use as a pesticide, especially against mosquito larvae.
Cinnamomum osmophloeum has come under heavy exploitation for use as a medicine and spice, and has also declined in extent because of habitat loss. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Taiwan

Habitat

Evergreen broadleaved forest; at elevations from 400 - 1,500 metre[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Most parts of the tree are strongly aromatic[].
This species is classifed into 5 types based on the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from their leaves: these chemotypes are:- trans-cinnamaldehyde; trans-cinnamaldehyde/cinnamyl acetate; T-cadinol/a-cadinol; camphor; and linalool. The essential oils from leaves of ct. cinnamaldehyde have similar constituents to those from commercial bark cinnamons. All the tested indigenous cinnamon clones contain much lower levels of the hepatotoxic and carcinogenic compound, coumarin, which is often seen in Cassia cinnamons.

Edible Uses

The bark and roots are strongly aromatic and are used as a spice substitute for Cinnamomum cassia[, ].
Both the bark of Cinnamomum cassia, and an essential oil derived from it, are used as a flavouring in various foods such as curries, confectionery, baked goods, chewing gum etc[]. The bark contains less essential oil than true cinnamon, but it is more pungent[], and is one of the ingredients of the Chinese 'Five Spices' mix[].

Medicinal

The leaves and bark are used traditionally for treating diabetes and inflammatory diseases[].

The essential oils extracted from the leaves have antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial activities. They also have a strong mosquito larvicidal activity against different mosquito species[]

The chemical constituents in the essential oils obtained from the leaves of this species are similar to those in the bark oils obtained from Cinnamomum cassia. They have been shown to possess considerable antibacterial, antitermitic, antifungal, antimite, and mosquito larvicidal bioactivities[].
The major components in the leaf essential oils are cinnamaldehyde and its derivatives, including cinnamyl alcohol and acetate[].
Four kaempferol glycosides isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves exhibit potent antiinflammatory activities
An essential oil obtained from the twigs and branches has shown antioxidant and hypoglycaemic activity[].

Other Uses

The essential oils extracted from the leaves have shown a strong mosquito larvicidal activity against different mosquito species[].
An extract from the leaves is an ingredient of commercial cosmetic preparations, where it is used as a skin conditioner, antioxidant, emollient and humectant[].

Propagation

Seed - the seed of species in this genus generally has a short viability and is best sown as soon in containers as it is ripe[]. Remove the fruit pulp since this can inhibit germination[]. Soaking the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water hastens germination[], which can take 1 - 6 months at 20°c[]. The germination rate of fresh seed is about 50%, falling to 25% for seed 6 months old, and zero for those 1 year old[]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in containers[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions when 10cm or more tall.
Cuttings of semi-ripe side shoots, 7cm with a heel, in a frame with bottom heat[].

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