218 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVII. 



226. — Cinnamomum zeijlanicum (Cinnamon). 

 Kurundu, S. fi$djg ; Karuva, T. a jpieun. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. III., p. 440. 



In its cultivated state is generally found as a bush, but 

 becomes in its wild state a moderate-sized tree, with thick 

 brownish-red bark and large head. 



Leaves opposite, or nearly so, about five inches long, ovate- 

 lanceolate, stiff, smooth, glossy, supported by rather swollen 

 strongly aromatic stalks, distinctly three-nerved, often five. 



Young leaves present most beautiful shades of colour, from 

 a pale pinkish-white to a brilliant pink. Flowers small, 

 pale yellow, arranged in loose panicles. Fruits "about half an 

 inch, oblong-ovoid, surrounded by much enlarged perianth, 

 minutely apiculate, dry or slightly fleshy, dark purple."- — 

 Trimen, 



Occurs sparingly in the wet forests of both Provinces up 

 to 3,000 feet. I have obtained examples from the Sinha Raja 

 forest with enormous leaves (fifteen inches by five inches), 

 but I have observed that this is a very variable quality. 



The well known spice is obtained from this species, as 

 well as cinnamon oil, which is distilled from the bark and 

 the leaves. The root affords a form of camphor, obtained by 

 distillation, but is inferior to the camphor of China. 



The yearly exports of cinnamon bark from Ceylon amount 

 to nearly 5,000,000 lb., having advanced to nearly twelve 

 times the quantity exported sixty years ago. According to 

 the Customs Report, for 1899 the export of cinnamon from 

 Ceylon amounted to 5,501,096 lb., valued at Rs. 2,760,692-45.* 



227. — Cinnamomum cttriodorum. 



Pehgiri-kurundu, S. o . «S<3 £$c5<g. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. III., p. 443. 



A moderate-sized tree, with thick rather smooth bark. 

 Leaves small, about two to three inches, lanceolate, tapering 



* Ceylon Administration Reports, Part I., 1899, p. All. 



