Cinnamomum mercadoi

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Cinnamomum mercadoi
Cinnamomum mercadoi44.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Laurales
Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Cinnamomum
Species:
C. mercadoi
Binomial name
Cinnamomum mercadoi

Cinnamomum mercadoi (kalingag) is a small tree, about 6 to 10 metres (20 to 33 ft) high, with a thick, aromatic bark. The plant part of the family Lauraceae, which contains about 45 genera and 2000-2500 species, [2] and is related to the culinary cinnamon, sassafras, and bay tree. The plant is indigenous to the Philippines, where it grows best in forests at low and medium altitudes that sometimes ascend to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). C. mercadoi is unusual in the cinnamon family in that its essential oil consists large amounts of safrol, whereas other oils of cinnamon contain cinnamaldehyde. It is currently listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as "vulnerable" due to the overharvesting and the continuous loss of the Philippine forests. [1]

Contents

Distribution

Cinnamomum mercadoi is only found in the Philippines, from the Babuyan Islands and northern Luzon to Mindanao.

Habitat and ecology

Cinnamomum mercadoi plants are monoecious and are variable in the height, shape, size, and texture of the leaves. They typically grow in primary and secondary forests with altitudes of about 300 to 700 metres (980 to 2,300 ft) [3] but are able to ascend to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). They grow best in subtropical and mild temperate forest conditions where high humidity and relatively stable, mild temperatures are found. They also grow best in pH levels of about 4 to 5 and their seeds are mainly dispersed via birds such as the fruit-specialized hornbills which account for the scattered distribution and regeneration of the tree species across the island.

Description

The leaves of the C. mercadoi are simple, opposite or subopposite, smooth, pale green, ovately-oblong or broadly lanceolate. The leaves are also sometimes subelliptic, usually 8 to 20 centimeters long and 4 to 6 centimeters wide, and are pointed at both ends, with petioles 5 to 15 millimeters long. The inflorescence is erect and grows from the uppermost leaf axils, about 10 centimeters long. The petals are smooth and rarely exerted. The calyx is canescent and turbinate. Finally, the bark is gray and does not have any fissures or cracks. It is covered irregularly with corky pustules and thus giving the bark a slightly rough appearance. [4]

Flowers and fruit

The flowers of the C. mercadoi are greenish-yellow and include in terminal or subterminal panicles up to 15 centimeters long. The fruits are smooth, shiny, steel blue, elliptic-shaped, seated on a bowl-shaped perianth cup, and are usually 12 x 8 millimeters in dimension. The seeds are smooth and are narrow to elliptic-shaped. [5]

Use

Food

The sassafras aroma and taste that the leaves and bark of the C. mercadoi may be added to root beers to give them flavor. [6]

Medicinal

There are several medicinal properties of C. mercadoi including its usage as a(n) diaphoretic, parasiticide, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, analgesic, and diuretic. [6] The bark of C. mercadoi has traditionally been used in medicine in the Philippines. In 1668, the Jesuit Ignatio Francisco Alzina reported that eating it aided digestion and since then, it has been employed to treat digestive troubles. It was also employed as a treatment for headaches and rheumatism and has been used as a rubefacient. [7] Furthermore, the bark is used as a(n) carminative, stimulant, astringent, antiseptic, antifungal, and antiviral property. Finally, the decoction of the leaves is a remedy for flatulence and menstrual problems in women.

Chemistry

In a study by Bacon (1909), one of the earliest chemical studies on the C. mercadoi reported the presence of essential oil, oleoresin, and resin. It was discovered that the oil primarily contained safrole and a further study conducted by Concha (1966), showed that the volatile oil and safrole were found in the leaves, bark, and roots of the plant. Sapogenin was also found to be present in the leaves and seeds of the C. mercadoi, as was reported by Anzaldo (1958). Phytochemical screening of the crude methanol extract of the plant indicated the presence of saponins, condensed tannins, an unsaturated lactone ring, and leucoanthocyanins.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinnamon</span> Spice from the inner tree bark of several members of genus Cinnamomum

Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, breakfast cereals, snack foods, bagels, teas, hot chocolate and traditional foods. The aroma and flavour of cinnamon derive from its essential oil and principal component, cinnamaldehyde, as well as numerous other constituents including eugenol.

<i>Sassafras</i> Genus of trees

Sassafras is a genus of three extant and one extinct species of deciduous trees in the family Lauraceae, native to eastern North America and eastern Asia. The genus is distinguished by its aromatic properties, which have made the tree useful to humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauraceae</span> Family of flowering plants

Lauraceae, or the laurels, is a plant family that includes the true laurel and its closest relatives. This family comprises about 2850 known species in about 45 genera worldwide. They are dicotyledons, and occur mainly in warm temperate and tropical regions, especially Southeast Asia and South America. Many are aromatic evergreen trees or shrubs, but some, such as Sassafras, are deciduous, or include both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, especially in tropical and temperate climates. The genus Cassytha is unique in the Lauraceae in that its members are parasitic vines. Most laurels are highly poisonous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safrole</span> Chemical compound

Safrole is an organic compound with the formula CH2O2C6H3CH2CH=CH2. It is a colorless oily liquid, although impure samples can appear yellow. A member of the phenylpropanoid family of natural products, it is found in sassafras plants, among others. Small amounts are found in a wide variety of plants, where it functions as a natural antifeedant. Ocotea pretiosa, which grows in Brazil, and Sassafras albidum, which grows in eastern North America, are the main natural sources of safrole. It has a characteristic "sweet-shop" aroma.

<i>Cinnamomum cassia</i> Species of tree

Cinnamomum cassia, called Chinese cassia or Chinese cinnamon, is an evergreen tree originating in southern China and widely cultivated there and elsewhere in South and Southeast Asia. It is one of several species of Cinnamomum used primarily for its aromatic bark, which is used as a spice. The buds are also used as a spice, especially in India, and were used by the ancient Romans.

<i>Cinnamomum</i> Genus of flowering plants

Cinnamomum is a genus of evergreen aromatic trees and shrubs belonging to the laurel family, Lauraceae. The species of Cinnamomum have aromatic oils in their leaves and bark. The genus contains approximately 250 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania/Australasia. The genus includes a great number of economically important trees.

<i>Camphora officinarum</i> Species of tree

Camphora officinarum is a species of evergreen tree that is commonly known under the names camphor tree, camphorwood or camphor laurel.

<i>Ocotea</i> Genus of trees

Ocotea is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Lauraceae. Many are evergreen trees with lauroid leaves.

<i>Cinnamomum burmanni</i> Species of flowering plant

Cinnamomum burmanni, also known as Indonesian cinnamon, Padang cassia, Batavia cassia, or korintje, is one of several plants in the genus Cinnamomum whose bark is sold as the spice cinnamon. It is an evergreen tree native to southeast Asia.

<i>Sassafras albidum</i> Species of plant

Sassafras albidum is a species of Sassafras native to eastern North America, from southern Maine and southern Ontario west to Iowa, and south to central Florida and eastern Texas. It occurs throughout the eastern deciduous forest habitat type, at altitudes of up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level. It formerly also occurred in southern Wisconsin, but is extirpated there as a native tree.

<i>Laurelia sempervirens</i> Species of plant

Laurelia sempervirens is a species of evergreen tree in the family Atherospermataceae. Common names include Peruvian nutmeg, tihue or trihue, and Chilean laurel or Chilean sassafras.

<i>Cinnamomum osmophloeum</i> Species of tree

Cinnamomum osmophloeum, commonly known as pseudocinnamomum or indigenous cinnamon, is a medium-sized evergreen tree in the genus Cinnamomum. It is native to broad-leaved forests of central and northern Taiwan.

Cinnamomum citriodorum is a species of flowering plant in the family Lauraceae. It is commonly known as Malabar Cinnamon. It is an evergreen tree which grows up to 10 metres tall. The species is endemic to central and southwestern Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magnoliids</span> Clade of flowering plants

Magnoliids are a clade of flowering plants. With more than 10,000 species, including magnolias, nutmeg, bay laurel, cinnamon, avocado, black pepper, tulip tree and many others, it is the third-largest group of angiosperms after the eudicots and monocots. The group is characterized by trimerous flowers, pollen with one pore, and usually branching-veined leaves.

<i>Cinnamomum oliveri</i> Species of tree

Cinnamomum oliveri is a rainforest tree growing at the eastern coastal parts of Australia. It grows from the Illawarra district in New South Wales to Cape York Peninsula at the northern tip of Australia. The southernmost limit of natural distribution is on the volcanic cliffs above the town of Gerroa and nearby on the sand in rainforest behind Seven Mile Beach, New South Wales.

<i>Cinnamomum parthenoxylon</i> Species of tree

Cinnamomum parthenoxylon is an evergreen tree in the genus Cinnamomum, 10–20 m (33–66 ft) tall. It is native to South and East Asia.

<i>Cinnamomum verum</i> Species of tree

Cinnamomum verum is a small evergreen tree belonging to the family Lauraceae, native to Sri Lanka. The inner bark of the tree is historically regarded as the "spice' cinnamon, even though this term was later generalized for both C. cassia and C. zeylanicum together.

<i>Sassafras tzumu</i> Species of tree

Sassafras tzumu is a species of Sassafras native to China, in Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Yunnan and Zhejiang. It grows in either sparse or dense forests habitat types, at altitudes of 100–1900 meters.

<i>Cinnamomum malabatrum</i> Species of flowering plant

Cinnamomum malabatrum, wild cinnamon, country cinnamon also known as malabathrum, is a tree in the family Lauraceae that is endemic to Western Ghats of India. It can grow up to 15 m (49 ft) tall. It has aromatic leaves that are used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is thought to have been one of the major sources of the medicinal plant leaves known in classic and medieval times as malabathrum. It is locally known as Edana, Therali or Vazhana in Kerala.

<i>Litsea garciae</i> Species of plant

Litsea garciae, also known as engkala, engkalak, kangkala, pangalaban, and Borneo avocado, is a flowering tree in the family Lauraceae.

References

  1. 1 2 World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). "Cinnamomum mercadoi". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . IUCN. 1998: e.T33330A9777350. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33330A9777350.en .
  2. ↑ Xiwen, L. "Lauraceae" (PDF). Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  3. ↑ Melvin Lippe. "Habitat requirements and population structure of selected multipurpose-tree species of primary rainforests..." (PDF). Center for Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  4. ↑ Lating, M.V. "Forest Tree Species With Medicinal Uses" (PDF). Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, Department of Environmental and Natural Resources College. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  5. ↑ "Cinnamomum mercadoi Vidal". ASEAN Tropical Plant Database. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  6. 1 2 Kalingag, Stuartxchange.com. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  7. ↑ Torres, Rosalinda C.; Sison, Fe M.; Ysrael, Mafel C. (June 2003). "Phytochemical Screening and Biological Studies on the Crude Methanol Extract of Cinnamomum mercadoi, Vidal" (PDF). Philippine Journal of Science. 132 (1): 27–32. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-27. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
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