opening outwards, innermost or fourth series of 3 short staminodes. Ovary free. Style filiform " (Kanjilal).
Uses : —In the Punjab, the leaves are used in rheumatism, being considered stimulant ; also in colic and diarrhœa. The bark is given for gonorrhœa. " Given in decoction or powder in suppression of lochia after childbirth, with much benefit." (Dr. Ratton, in Watt's Dict.)
Mr. D. Hooper writes : — " In collecting barks from wild trees belonging to the genus Cinnamomum, an inexperienced native is likely to mistake the species of Litsaea for the proper tree. The fragrant bark of the species of Litsaea is something like Cinnamon, but is very poisonous, as it contains an alkaloid which acts on the muscular system like strychime."
The leaves contain an essential oil of a lemon-yellow colour, and a clove- like peppery odour. Sp. Gr, at 15° C, 1.0257; phenol content 78 per cent.; soluble in 1-2 volumes and over of 70 per cent, alcohol. It is closely allied to the ordinary oil from Ceylon cinnamon leaves. (J. Ch. I. for 15th Jane, 1910 p. 715.)
1085. C. obtusifolium, Nees., h.f.b.l, v. 128.
Syn. :— Laurus obtusifolia, Roxb. 339.
Vern. : — Tejpat, ramtejpat, kinton (Beng.) ; Phat-goli (Kumaon) ; Bara singoli (Nepal) ; Nupsor (Lepcha) ; Patichanda (Ass.) ; Dupatti (Mechi.) ; Krowai (Magh.) ; Looleng-kyaw (Burm.).
Habitat :— Central and Eastern Himalaya ; Nepal, Sikkim, Assam, Silhet and the Khasia Hills.
An evergreen tree. Bark grey, moderately hard, shining. The bark of the roots resembles cinnamon (Gamble). This is a large robust plant, the largest-leaved of the Indian species. Leaves quite glaucous beneath, elliptic oblong, obtuse, acute or acuminate, 3- nerved, nerves not impressed above ; nervules faint or distinct ; petiole short, robust. Flowers small, ¼in. diam., often crowded at the ends of the much-branched, crowded panicles, with long peduncles. Perianth sub-silky, pubescent ; lobes persistent in fruit. Stamens and ovary sparsely hairy or glabrous. Fruit small, ellipsoid or sub-globose, ⅓-½in. long, succulent. Peduncle and calyx ⅓-½. long, the latter ⅓in. broad in fruit.
