Cinnamomum burmannii

Cinnamomum burmannii
Young Indonesian Cassia tree, Indonesia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Magnoliids
Order:	Laurales
Family:	Lauraceae
Genus:	Cinnamomum
Species:	C. burmannii
Binomial name
Cinnamomum burmannii

Cinnamomum burmannii, also known as Indonesian Cinnamon, Padang Cassia, or Korintje, is one of several plants in the genus Cinnamomum whose bark are sold as the spice cinnamon^[1]. The spice is the least expensive of the three common forms of cinnamon as it has the lowest essential oil content. The most common and cheapest type of cinnamon in the US is made from powdered Cinnamomum burmannii. As a result of the low oil content, Cinnamomum burmannii may have less of the mildly toxic substance coumarin than does C. cassia^[2]. It is also sold as neat thick quills which are made of one layer.^[3].

Distribution

Cinnamomum burmanii is native to Southeast Asia and Indonesia. It is normally found in West Sumatra in the region known as Kerinci Regency a regency of Jambi province (hence the name Korintje) near the city of Padang. It is an introduced species in other parts of the subtropical world, particularly in Hawaii, where it is naturalized and invasive, spreading slowly on several islands.^[4][5]

References

1. ^ Frontier Co-op's Cinnamon page--detailed links specify species
2. ^ Indonesian Cinnamon on Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages, German version (more information).
3. ^ Indonesian Cinnamon on Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages, English version (less detail)
4. ^ P. Motooka et al. (2003). Weeds of Hawai's Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide. CTAHR, University of Hawai'i at Manoa. 
5. ^ "HEAR species description". http://www.hear.org/species/cinnamomum_burmannii/.