Cinnamomum puberulum
Ridley
Teja, Medang kemangi
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President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Description
A tree. It grows up to 15 m tall. The trunk is 40 cm across. The young twigs are pale yellow and hairy. The older twigs lose their hairs and are blackish. The leaves are alternate and have 3 veins. The leaf stalk is 1.5 cm long. The blade is 6.5-13 cm long by 2.5-3.5 cm wide. They are leathery. The flowers are in a panicle and can be at the ends of branches or in the axils. The flower arrangements are 6 cm long. The fruit is long and is a one seeded berry. It is 1 cm long by 0.6 cm wide.
Edible Uses
The bark is used as a spice to flavor curries.
Traditional Uses
The bark is used as a spice to flavour curries.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
We have no specific information for this species, but species in this genus are generally rich in essential oils with proven medicinal virtues. Species are often very similar and not always easily distinguished from each other. Many Cinnamomum species are likely to be used, particularly for treating disorders of the gastro-intestinal tract.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in lowland and mountain forest.
Where It Grows
Asia, Malaysia, SE Asia,
Cultivation
Species in this genus generally prefer an acidic soil with ample moisture in the growing season and a position with some shade. Species in this genus are generally able to resprout from basal wood if the top is damaged, and will soon recover from any damage.
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. Remove the fruit pulp since this can inhibit germination. Soaking the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water hastens germination, which can take 1 - 6 months at 20°c. The germination rate of fresh seed is about 50%, falling to 25% for seed 6 months old, and zero for those 1 year old. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in containers. 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.
Notes
There are about 250 Cinnamomum species.
References (4)
- Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 562
- PROSEA handbook Volume 13 Spices. p 249
- Seidemann J., 2005, World Spice Plants. Economic Usage, Botany, Taxonomy. Springer. p 103
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
