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Lauraceae FAMILY

Cinnamomum wilsonii

Cinnamomum wilsonii

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Tree
Growth—

Cinnamomum wilsonii is native to the warm temperate and subtropical zones of central and southern China. It has proven to be hardy in North Carolia, USA, where it has survived temperatures down to at least -8°c without damage. It requires hot summers, however, in order to fully ripen the current season's growth, otherwise it is more susceptible to winter cold[1]. Requires a very sunny position in climates with cooler summers, but otherwise requires some shade from the strongest sun. Prefers an acidic soil with ample moisture in summer[1]. Species in this genus are generally able to resprout from basal wood if the top is harmed, and will soon recover from frost damage[1].

Propagation

Seed - the seed has a short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[2]. Remove the fruit pulp since this can inhibit germination[2]. Germination can take 1 - 6 months at 20°c[3]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in a warm greenhouse[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first two winters outdoors. Cuttings of semi-ripe side shoots, 7cm with a heel, early summer/July in a frame with bottom heat[4]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Cinnamomum+wilsonii>

Pollinators

Data unavailable

References

  1. [1]New Trees — Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H. · Kew Publishing; London · 2009 · ISBN 1842461737 ↩︎Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
  2. [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. [3]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.
  4. [4]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.
  5. [5]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
  6. [6]Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. — Yeung. Him-Che. · Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles · 1985 · ISBN - ↩︎An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.