Cinnamomum macrocarpum
Hook.f.
Lauraceae
Common Name:
General Information
Cinnamomum macrocarpum is a small to medium evergreen tree that can reach a height of 15 metres. The bole is thinly buttressed..
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a medicine. The essential oil from the root bark and leaves is traded both locally and regionally. The leaves are sold under the name of Lavanga patre in Bangalore markets, as an admixture of several species of Cinnamomum[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
The combined effects of forest degradation and loss of forest cover over the last three generations (90 years) is estimated to have resulted in a population decline of over 30%. In addition, the plant is harvested from the wild for medicinal uses. It is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
E. Asia - southern India
Habitat
An understorey tree in moist, deciduous to evergreen forests; at elevations from 600 - 1,800 metres[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 0.00 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[
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.
].
The bark is aromatic, with a faint aniseed and clove smell.
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The bark is used to treat coughs, diarrhoea and dysentery[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. The powdered bark is taken internally with honey to treat coughs[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]
The oil extracted from the root, bark and leaves is used to prepare a massage oil for treating rheumatism[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
An ethanol extraction of the leaves has shown hypoglycaemic activity comparable to standard drug treatments. The extract also reduced levels of low density lipids (LDL)[
1380- Title
- Antidiabetic Activity of Cinnamomum macrocarpon Hook.f. Leaves on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Swiss Albino Mice
- Publication
- International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences Vol. 5 Issue 3 July-Sept 2015 pp 16-21
- Author
- M. Arul Jothi; A. Benno Susai Vijayakumar; C.S. Parameswari;
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2015
- ISBN
- 2231-4490
- Description
-
].
Other Uses
None known
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.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
