Lauraceae FAMILY Endangered

Cinnamomum balansae

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

1/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Tree

Growth—

Young trees can tolerate some shade, but older trees become more light-demanding^[1]. Prefers a deep, moist, well-drained soil^[1]. Natural regeneration is very poor^[1].

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^[2]. Remove the fruit pulp since this can inhibit germination^[2]. Soaking the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water hastens germination^[3], which can take 1 - 6 months at 20°c^[4]. The germination rate of fresh seed is about 50%, falling to 25% for seed 6 months old, and zero for those 1 year old^[3]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in containers^[5]. 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^[5]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cinnamomum+balansae>

Pollinators

Insects

References

[1]Trees of Laos and Vietnam - A Field Guide to 100 species. — Hoang Van Sam; Khamseng Nanthavong; Kessler P.J.A. · Blumea · 2004 ↩︎A detailed guide, with excellent line-drawings, to 100 of the more important trees of Laos and Vietnam. A very good work, giving lots of information about each plant. Originally published in the journal Blumea, it is available as a PDF on the Interne
[2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[3]World Agroforesty Centre — http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ ↩︎An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
[4]Growing from Seed. Volume 4. — Bird. R. (Editor) · Thompson and Morgan. · 1990 · ISBN - ↩︎Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
[5]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
[6]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
[PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎