12 Lauraceae. 
LAURACEAE 
Laurel Family. 
The Laurel Family is distributed over the warmer parts of both 
hemispheres, but is chiefly tropical. In Honolulu there are under 
cultivation two genera, Cinnamomum and Persea; the first, more 
definitely described below, is represented by two species, the Cinna- 
mon and Camphor tree, the latter by one species, Persea americana 
Mill., the well-known Alligator Pear or Avocado, a native of tropical 
America. It has been planted in most tropical and subtropical coun- 
tries on account of its highly prized fruit. 
Cinnamomum zeylanicum (L.) Bl. 
True Cinnamon. 
The True Cinnamon is a tree of medium height and is glabrous, 
with the exception of the finely silky-pubescent buds. The leaves are 
leathery and shining, oval in outline and are strongly three- to five- 
nerved. The flowers, which are pale yellow, are borne numerously 
on panicles of the length of the leaves, clustered in the upper axils. 
The fruit is less than half an inch long, oblong ovoid, slightly fleshy 
and is surrounded by the enlarged perianth. The True Cinnamon is 
a native of the forests of Ceylon, but is now cultivated on that island 
as well as in Southern India. 
Various products are derived from the Cinnamon tree, which are 
commercially exploited. For instance, the root of the tree yields 
camphor, while of the fibre or inner bark an essential oil is procured 
which is of considerable importance. Cinnamon is exported from 
Ceylon in the form of sticks about 40 inches long, formed of tubular 
pieces of bark about a foot long, and one placed within the other 
dexteriously. The bark composing the stick is extremely thin and 
has a light brown dull surface with a fragrant odor quite peculiar 
to this species and allied harks of the same genus. 
Medicinally, cinnamon, which is aromatic and stimulant, is used 
in spasmodic affections of the bowels and gastric irritation. 
A volatile oil is distilled from the leaves known as "clove oil," 
similar to the genuine oil of cloves, and used in toothache. 
The only mature specimens known to the writer are on the prem- 
ises of the late Dr. Win. Hillebrand, who is responsible for its intro- 
duction. The trees, which are of considerable height, bear seed 
profusely, young seedlings coming up under the trees at all times. 
