also in the lowlands and drier areas of both tropics. Most species are medium sized or tall trees. 
Perhaps C. camphora and C. verum are the most well known species in the genus, for the 
production of camphor and cinnamon respectively. But there are several other species that are (or 
were) extensively used for the extraction of essential oils, e.g. C. iners, C. malabathrum, C. 
nitidum, and C. tamala (Gunther, 1950; Kostermans, 1986). 
Key to the neotropical species of Cinnamomum 
1. Leaf lower surface concealed by dense pubescence of tight wavy or curly hairs. 
2. Leaf base acute to attenuate; leaves elliptic, narrow elliptic or oblanceolate. 
3. Veins on lower surface of the leaf conspicuously covered with dark red hairs C. rubrinervium 
3. Veins on lower surface of the leaf not covered with dark red hairs. 
4. Leaf length-width ratio 5:1 - 8:1; secondary veins 6 - 9 (11) C. stenophyllum 
4. Leaf length-width ratio 1.5:1 - 4:1; secondary veins 3 - 5 C. sellowianum 
2. Leaf base rounded or cordate; leaves ovate to ovate-lanceolate. 
5. Flower pedicel and outer surface of tepals glabrous; secondary veins (2) 3 pairs C. taubertianum 
5. Flower pedicel and outer surface of tepals pubescent; secondary veins (3) 4 - 5 pairs C. kruseanum 
1. Leaf lower surface not concealed by pubescence (sometimes apparently so, but actually leaf surface is covered by scurfy 
whitish wax), hairs absent or present, straight to curly, appressed or erect. 
6. Leaf surface of mature leaves entirely glabrous above and below (veins may have some hairs). Twig hairs, if present, 
mostly straight and appressed (except C. brenesii). 
7. Domatia absent. 
8. Inflorescences pauciflorous, | - 3 dichasia each. 
9. Glands at base of stamens of whorl III present; leaf base attenuate; secondary veins 5 - 9 (10)... 
C. chiapense 
9. Glands at base of stamens of whorl III absent; leaf base rounded or truncate, often oblique; secondary 
veins 3 - 4 C. concinnum 
