Lauraceae FAMILY Least Concern

Cinnamomum micranthum

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

3/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Cinnamomum micranthum is an evergreen tree usually growing 14 - 20 metres tall, occasionally reaching 30 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 25 - 65cm in diameter[ 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. , 1371 Title Optimizing the Propagation of Cinnamomum micranthum by Cuttings Publication Life Science Journal 2014;11(12) Author Bihua Chen; Jianmin Li; Juan Zhang; Huihua Fan; Qianzhen Li Publisher Year 2014 ISBN Description ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for medicinal use, its wood and essential oil. It is also a host tree for a much-used medicinal fungus and is a popular ever-green ornamental, with a good form and attractive glabrous broad leaves[ 1371 Title Optimizing the Propagation of Cinnamomum micranthum by Cuttings Publication Life Science Journal 2014;11(12) Author Bihua Chen; Jianmin Li; Juan Zhang; Huihua Fan; Qianzhen Li Publisher Year 2014 ISBN Description ]. Although relatively widespread in, the species has experienced considerable habitat declines, largely because of conversion to agriculture. Overall, the plant is classified as 'Least Concern' 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. ]. However, the Taiwanese endemic, Cinnamomum kanehirae (listed as 'Endangered' in 1998 and now viewed as a form of Cinnamomum micranthum), was an abundant tree species at the beginning of the twentieth century and is one of the most valuable timber species in Taiwan. More recently it has become rare through years of clearing forestland and illegal selective cutting.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate; tropical

Native RangeE. Asia - southern China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Jiangxi), Taiwan, northern Vietnam

HabitatLowland rain forest in valleys, on mountain slopes and along rivers and roadsides, almost always with Cinnamomum parthenoxylon; at elevations from 300 - 650 metres, to 1,800 metres in Taiwan[ 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. ].