cassia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese cinnamon
• Chinese-cassia
• cassia
• cassia-bark

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Laurus zeylanica
• Cinnamomum aromaticum var. longifolium
• Cinnamomum cassia var. medium

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Laurales and the family Lauraceae, it is classified under the genus Cinnamomum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is naturally distributed across several distinct regions of Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan provinces. It can also be found growing within the specific geography of Taiwan in Eastern Asia. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within Bangladesh. These diverse locations highlight the varied environmental niches the species occupies.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cinnamomum aromaticum is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are borne on aerial shoots well above the ground. Within the broader spectrum of its growth habits, it functions specifically as a phanerophyte, ensuring its survival through seasonal changes by maintaining its woody structure and elevated buds. This growth strategy allows the plant to establish a robust, perennial presence in its natural tropical habitat, transitioning through various developmental stages from seed germination to the maturation of a large, evergreen tree. By maintaining its photosynthetic and reproductive organs on elevated branches, it effectively navigates its ecological niche, utilizing its structural permanence to dominate the forest canopy.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Cinnamomum aromaticum is characterized by its robust growth form as a tree, which stands as a substantial woody perennial. As a terrestrial species, it grows directly in the soil rather than exhibiting epiphytic habits, maintaining a stable existence as a non-climbing organism. Unlike climbing plants that may require support, this species is entirely self-supporting, relying on its own sturdy, woody structure to maintain its upright stature and architectural integrity.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cinnamomum aromaticum has 127 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cinnamaldehyde, (+)-catechin, (-)-Epicatechin, 1,8-Cineole, 19-Monoacetyl cincassiol A.

cinnamaldehyde

1. Dr. Duke
2. Medical mycology journal

(+)-catechin

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Dr. Duke

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

19-Monoacetyl cincassiol A

1. Dr. Duke

2-Methyl butyric acid

1. Dr. Duke

2-Methyl-Benzaldehyde

1. Dr. Duke

2-vinylphenol

1. Dr. Duke

3-Phenylpropanal

1. Dr. Duke

3-methyl butyric acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cinnamomum aromaticum has 557 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor.

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Acarifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Acnegenic

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenergic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Cinnamomum aromaticum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include oral candidiasis.

Oral candidiasis

1. Medical mycology journal