| Etymology | Genus | From Greek Kinnamomum |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Latin for not active, ie. without the characteristic Cinnamon smell | |
| Family | Lauraceae | |
| Synonyms | Cinnamomum aromaticum Zoll., Cinnamomum neglectum Blume | |
| Common Names | Wild Cinnamon, Kayu Manis | |
| Status | Native: Common | |
| Form | Tree | |
| Native Distribution | India, West Malesia | |
Diagnostics:
Cinnamomum iners is a tree growing up to 18m, with a dense, bushy crown. The leaves are oppositely arranged and are tri-veined. The young leaves are reddish-pink in colour. According to Corner (1997), it can be differentiated from other Cinnamomum species from the glabrous leaves, smelling faintly of cinnamon, which are oblong and measuring at a length of x3 of the width.
Interesting Facts:
The Wild Cinnamon is the most common native Cinnamomum species in Singapore, and very common in disturbed secondary forests. It flowers seasonally, and the tree will be flushed by its cream-coloured inflorescences, which produces a waxy, unpleasant smell (Corner, 1997). This attracts hover-flies, beetles and other small insects. Birds, bats and squirrels eat the berries and disperse the seeds.
The tree is a larvae host plant for several butterflies, including the Common Mime, Common Bluebottle and Common Imperial; as well as the attractive day-flying moth, Pompelon marginata.
A cultivated stand at Potong Pasir.
Tri-veined leaves.
Young red leaves.
Fruit.
Larvae of the the butterfly, Common Mime
References
Corner EJH (1997) Wayside Trees of Malaya. Volume 1. 4th edition. The Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. 476 pp.
Author: Siyang
Posted: 2018-12-12 / Modified: 2018-12-17