turougwi

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• turougwi

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Laurales, and the family Lauraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cinnamomum, specifically the species Cinnamomum osmophloeum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is characterized by a very specific and limited geographical range. Its natural distribution is primarily concentrated within the region of Eastern Asia. Specifically, Cinnamomum osmophloeum is found growing natively on the island of Taiwan. Due to this restricted habitat, it is considered an endemic species to this particular location. Consequently, the plant's presence is tied closely to the unique ecological conditions provided by the Taiwanese landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cinnamomum osmophloeum is characterized by its specific distribution across varied altitudinal gradients within its natural habitat. This species typically thrives in montane or sub-montane environments, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 400 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. Throughout its geographic spread, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 950 m AMSL, a positioning that suggests a preference for mid-altitude ecological niches where specific moisture and temperature regimes are maintained.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

950 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cinnamomum osmophloeum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain its presence in its natural habitat over many years. As a long-lived woody plant, it follows a developmental trajectory that moves from seed germination through an extended juvenile phase into a mature reproductive stage. During its life cycle, the plant invests significantly in structural biomass, developing a robust woody architecture that supports its continuous growth and seasonal physiological processes. Its perennial nature ensures that it can withstand varying environmental conditions, repeatedly undergoing vegetative growth and flowering cycles to support its long-term survival and reproductive success within its ecosystem.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cinnamomum osmophloeum is characterized by its growth form as a tree, exhibiting a robust and sturdy structure. As a woody species, it develops significant lignified tissues that support its stature and long-term development. While some members of the Lauraceae family may exhibit climbing tendencies, this particular species functions as a self-supporting organism, maintaining its upright position through its own structural integrity rather than relying on other plants for support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Cinnamomum osmophloeum are closely linked to its leaf morphology, which serves as a primary interface for gas exchange and photosynthetic activity. The foliage exhibits significant variation in size, with leaf lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 8 cm to a mean of 10 cm, reaching a maximum of 12 cm. Complementing this longitudinal dimension, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 3.5 cm and a maximum of 5 cm, defining a structural surface area optimized for light interception within its ecological niche. These specific dimensions in length and width are critical to the plant's metabolic efficiency and its ability to regulate transpiration and nutrient transport through the laminar tissue.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

3.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cinnamomum osmophloeum culminates in the development of its characteristic fruit, which exhibits highly consistent morphological dimensions. The fruits are characterized by a uniform size profile, where the fruit length maintains a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 1 cm. Similarly, the fruit width is remarkably consistent, with the minimum, mean, and maximum values all measuring 0.5 cm. This lack of variance in the fruit's dimensions suggests a highly stabilized reproductive output, resulting in small, standardized drupes that are essential to the plant's dispersal mechanism.

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cinnamomum osmophloeum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Planta medica

Chemicals

Cinnamomum osmophloeum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumarins, Lignans, Phenols, Proanthocyanidins, cinnamaldehyde.

Coumarins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Lignans

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Phenols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Proanthocyanidins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

cinnamaldehyde

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

trans-Cinnamaldehyde

1. Planta medica

Activities

Cinnamomum osmophloeum has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Cinnamomum osmophloeum has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Enterococcus faecalis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Klebsiella pneumoniae

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Staphylococcus epidermidis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Oxidative stress

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Cinnamomum osmophloeum has 3 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include B leaf oil, leaf essential oils, leaf sample.

B leaf oil

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf essential oils

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf sample

1. Planta medica