Common Name:

General Information

Cinnamomum altissimum is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 39 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and also for its wood, which is a source of 'medang' timber and is used locally and also traded.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Peninsular Malaysia.

Habitat

Lowland and hill forest[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	32.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally prefer an acidic soil with ample moisture in the growing season and a position with some shade[].
Species in this genus are generally able to resprout from basal wood if the top is damaged, and will soon recover from any damage[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves, stem bark and stem wood have been used to treat wound infections.

Hydro-distillation of the fresh bark produces a colourless, pleasant-smelling essential oil. This oil is rich in phenolics and has shown good antioxidant activity. The main compounds in the essential oil are linalool (36.0%); methyl eugenol (12.8%); limonene (8.3%); alpha-terpineol (7.8%); terpinen-4-ol (6.4%); c-terpinene (3.5%); alpha- terpinene (2.3%) and 1,8-cineole (2.3%)[].

Other Uses

There are a number of tree species (including this one) from Peninsular Malaysia that are in the family Lauraceae and produce a useful timber that is either not distinct enough in itself, or is in insufficient supply, to warrant being traded individually. These various species have been lumped together under the trade name ‘medang’[].
We do not have a specific description of the wood from this species, but a general description of medang timber is as follows:-
The heartwood is very variable, from light-straw to red-brown and olive brown; the sapwood is ill-defined. The texture is moderately fine but even; the grain interlocked or wavy; the surface dull. The wood is not durable. It is easy to slightly difficult to resaw, and easy to moderately easy to cross-cut; easy to plane and the surface produced is smooth to moderately smooth. It is suitable for decorative work such as interior finishing, panelling, furniture and cabinet making. It is also suitable for plywood manufacture, whilst the heavier species are suitable for medium construction under cover[]

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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