WILD CINNAMON (Cinnamomum Iners.)
Also known locally as Kayu Manis, this
quick growing small tree up to about 10 meters in height is related to the
commercial Cinnamon tree. It is often planted by the roadside for the brightly
colored new leaves which it puts out at frequent intervals. The leaf blades
bear three characteristic longitudinal veins. Its small yellowish flowers have
an unpleasant waxy smell. The small black fruits are eaten by birds, squirrels
and fruit bats, who will than proceed to disperse the seeds. The leaves when
crushed smelled faintly of cinnamon and are eaten by the caterpillars of the
Bluebottle butterfly. The wood is used in making fragrant joss sticks and a
decoction of the boiled roots is given as a tonic after childbirth or for
fever. The Orang Asli also use the leaf juice as a cure for poisoning by the
Upas tree. Sometimes, the leaves are even used as a poultice for rheumatism.