LATJRACEAE 155 



Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees. 

 Cinnamon Tree. 



Small tree to 10 ra. tall. Buds silky pubescent. Leaves coriaceous, 

 shiny, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, apex acuminate, base acute, 3-5 nerved, 

 reticulate and glabrous beneath, 8-18 cm. long. Inflorescence in silky 

 pubescent panicles, as long as the leaves, mostly clustered in the axils of 

 the upper leaves ; flowers numerous, small, about 6 mm. high, yellowish, 

 with grayish hairs on the outside. Fruit 10-16 mm. long, dry or slightly 

 fleshy, pointed, surrounded by the enlarged perianth. 



Cultivated in Kwangtung. The planting of this tree might be 

 extended into a profitable industry. 



PHOEBE 



Evergreen trees or shrubs, leaves alternate, scattered, often irregularly 

 grouped toward the end of the yearly growth, entire, pinnately veined. 

 Flowers small, perfect or polygamous, in axillary and subterminal 

 panicles or corymbs. Perianth tube short, the segments 6, subcoriaceous, 

 about equal in size, erect and enlarging and ultimately clasping the base 

 of the fruit. Fertile stamens 9, in 3 series, the 1st and 2nd series without 

 glands and with introrse 4-celled anthers, the 3rd series with 2 glands 

 subtending each stamen and with extrorse 4-celled anthers. There is an 

 inner or 4th series of 3 small stipitate or stalked staminodes with cordate 

 or sagittate apex. 



Fruit a fleshy berry usually ellipsoid or oblong, inserted upon or 

 clasped at the base by the persisting 6-parted cup or perianth, and 

 containing a single large, smooth seed. 



Perhaps 25 or 30 species of Phoebe have been described. They are 

 chiefly East Indian and Malayan. 



There is a very close relationship between this genus and Machilus 

 and Persea. The species of Machilus and Phoebe in western China are all 

 evergreen and handsome trees. According to Wilson, in Szechuen they 

 are abundant up to an altitude of 1,000 metres, often forming extensive 

 forests. Some of them grow to great size and have broad, dense heads. 

 The wood is close grained, fragrant, greenish white and brown in color, 

 easily worked and very durable. It is much valued in furniture making 

 and the construction of temples and houses. It is also used for the bottoms 

 of boats. 



