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Useful Tropical Plants

Cinnamomum javanicum

Blume

Lauraceae

+ Synonyms

Laurus pseudocassia Reinw. ex Blume

Melastoma reinwardtianum Blume

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Cinnamomum javanicum is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 35 metres tall. The bole can be up to 35cm in diameter[
1372
Title
Taxonomic revision of Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) in Borneo
Publication
Blumea 56, 2011: 241-264
Author
Soh Wuu-Kuang
Website
http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651911X615168
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a medicine and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

1372
Title
Taxonomic revision of Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) in Borneo
Publication
Blumea 56, 2011: 241-264
Author
Soh Wuu-Kuang
Website
http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651911X615168
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Indonesia

Habitat

Primary kerangas (moist, heath forest found on acidic, sandy soils that are low in nutrients, especially nitrogen), mixed dipterocarp and submontane forests; at elevations from 300 - 1,300 metres[
1372
Title
Taxonomic revision of Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) in Borneo
Publication
Blumea 56, 2011: 241-264
Author
Soh Wuu-Kuang
Website
http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651911X615168
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height25.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Species in this genus generally prefer an acidic soil with ample moisture in the growing season and a position with some shade[
1212
Title
New Trees
Publication
 
Author
Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
Publisher
Kew Publishing; London
Year
2009
ISBN
1842461737
Description
Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
].
Species in this genus are generally able to resprout from basal wood if the top is damaged, and will soon recover from any damage[
1212
Title
New Trees
Publication
 
Author
Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
Publisher
Kew Publishing; London
Year
2009
ISBN
1842461737
Description
Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant isused medicinally with Kadsura scandens to treat stomach ache and to initiate abortion[
1372
Title
Taxonomic revision of Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) in Borneo
Publication
Blumea 56, 2011: 241-264
Author
Soh Wuu-Kuang
Website
http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651911X615168
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

The smoke from burnt roots is used to repel evil spirits from the body[
1372
Title
Taxonomic revision of Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) in Borneo
Publication
Blumea 56, 2011: 241-264
Author
Soh Wuu-Kuang
Website
http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651911X615168
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
]
The root decoction is drunk to treat fatigue and chest pain[
1372
Title
Taxonomic revision of Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) in Borneo
Publication
Blumea 56, 2011: 241-264
Author
Soh Wuu-Kuang
Website
http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651911X615168
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Other Uses

The sapwood is yellowish-white[
1372
Title
Taxonomic revision of Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) in Borneo
Publication
Blumea 56, 2011: 241-264
Author
Soh Wuu-Kuang
Website
http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651911X615168
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. The wood is used for construction[
1372
Title
Taxonomic revision of Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) in Borneo
Publication
Blumea 56, 2011: 241-264
Author
Soh Wuu-Kuang
Website
http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651911X615168
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
There are a number of tree species (including this one) from 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’[
895
Title
Timber Notes - Light Hardwoods II
Publication
Timber Technology Bulletin No. 10
Author
Gan K.S.; Lim S.C.; Choo K.T.
Publisher
Forest Research Institute; Malaysia
Year
1998
ISBN
139-258
Description
Part of an excellent series of publications, this one giving a brief guide to five lesser known groups of light hardwoods from southeast Asia. It is available in PDF format on the Internet.
].
We do not have any more information about 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[
895
Title
Timber Notes - Light Hardwoods II
Publication
Timber Technology Bulletin No. 10
Author
Gan K.S.; Lim S.C.; Choo K.T.
Publisher
Forest Research Institute; Malaysia
Year
1998
ISBN
139-258
Description
Part of an excellent series of publications, this one giving a brief guide to five lesser known groups of light hardwoods from southeast Asia. It is available in PDF format on the Internet.
]

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[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Remove the fruit pulp since this can inhibit germination[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Soaking the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water hastens germination[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
], which can take 1 - 6 months at 20°c[
164
Title
Growing from Seed. Volume 4.
Publication
 
Author
Bird. R. (Editor)
Publisher
Thompson and Morgan.
Year
1990
ISBN
-
Description
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
]. The germination rate of fresh seed is about 50%, falling to 25% for seed 6 months old, and zero for those 1 year old[
303
Title
World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in containers[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
]. 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[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-11-22. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cinnamomum+javanicum>

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