Cinnamomum Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cinnamomum

Camphor Laurel Cinnamomum camphora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Laurales
Family:	Lauraceae
Genus:	Cinnamomum L.

Cinnamomum is a group of evergreen trees and shrubs. They all belong to the same plant family as the laurel, called Laurelaceae. These plants are special because their leaves and bark contain fragrant oils. There are more than 300 different kinds, or species, of Cinnamomum plants.

You can find Cinnamomum trees and shrubs in warm, wet areas around the world. They grow in tropical and subtropical regions. This includes places like the Americas, Oceania, Asia, and Australasia.

Famous Cinnamomum Trees
Where Do Cinnamomum Trees Grow?
What Are Some Important Species?
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Famous Cinnamomum Trees

Many Cinnamomum species are well-known for their uses. Some of the most famous ones include:

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum): This is often called "true cinnamon" or Ceylon Cinnamon. It's a popular spice.
Cassia (C. aromaticum or C. cassia): This is another type of cinnamon spice.
Camphor laurel (C. camphora): This tree is used to make camphor, a substance with a strong smell.
Saigon cinnamon (C. loureiroi): Also known as Vietnamese cinnamon, this is another type of cassia.
Malabathrum (C. tamala): This plant is used as a herb, sometimes called tejpat or Indian bay leaf.

Where Do Cinnamomum Trees Grow?

Cinnamomum trees grow in many different environments. You can find them in the Himalayas and other mountain areas. They also live in tropical and subtropical rainforests where it's warm and rainy.

These trees thrive in valleys and mixed forests. They grow alongside both coniferous (cone-bearing) and deciduous (leaf-shedding) trees. Their natural homes stretch across southern China, India, and Southeast Asia. Some species, like the Camphor laurel, can even survive dry periods.

What Are Some Important Species?

There are about 250 known species of Cinnamomum. Many of them are important for different reasons.

For example, Cinnamomum parthenoxylon and Cinnamomum camphora are very large evergreen trees. They can grow up to 30 meters (about 98 feet) tall. Their inner bark is used to make the spice we know as cinnamon.

Another important species is C. tamala. Its leaves are used as the herb malabathrum, also called tejpat or Indian bay leaf. And as mentioned, C. camphora is where we get camphor from.