Cinnamomum subavenium

Cinnamomum subavenium
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Laurales
Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Cinnamomum
Species:
C. subavenium
Binomial name
Cinnamomum subavenium

Cinnamomum subavenium is an evergreen tree from South and East Asia that can become 20 m (66 ft) tall.[3]

Range and habitat

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Cinnamomum subavenium ranges from Bangladesh and Myanmar to southern China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, and Sulawesi.[2]

In Borneo it is found in Sarawak (Marudi and Sri Aman districts) and Sabah (Ranau, Tambunan and Sipitang districts) in Malaysian Borneo, and West Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo. It grows in mixed dipterocarp and lower montane forest to 1500 metres elevation.[4]

Uses

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Leaves of Cinnamomum subavenium are an important spice.[3] It is also a Chinese herb that has been suggested for use as a skin whitening agent. The plant contains substances which inhibit production of tyrosinase an enzyme which catalyzes the production of melanin. The herb has not been established as either effective or safe but is being researched by Hui-Min Wang and his colleagues at Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan where experiments shown that it was effective at causing zebrafish to lose their stripes.[5]

References

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  1. ^ de Kok, R. (2020). "Cinnamomum subavenium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T145403345A145416551. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T145403345A145416551.en. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b Cinnamomum subavenium Miq.. Plants of the World Online. Accessed 9 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b Xi-wen Li, Jie Li & Henk van der Werff. "Cinnamomum subavenium". Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  4. ^ Wuu-Kuang, Soh (2011). Taxonomic revision of Cinnamomum (Lauraceae) in Borneo. Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants, Volume 56, Number 3, 2011, pp. 241-264(24). Naturalis Biodiversity Center DOI: https://doi.org/10.3767/000651911X615168
  5. ^ Bhanoo, Sindya N. (March 28, 2011). "An Herbal Alternative to Creams for Pale Skin". The New York Times. Retrieved March 30, 2011.