Trees or shrubs, evergreen. Bark gray [or brown], furrowed [or smooth]; bark and leaves often aromatic. Leaves alternate, infrequently opposite. Leaf blade with (1-)3 primary veins [or infrequently pinnately veined], papery to leathery; surfaces glabrous or variously pubescent; domatia frequently present. Inflorescences appearing when mature leaves are present, axillary, panicles. Flowers bisexual; tepals deciduous or persistent, white, green, or yellow, equal; stamens 9, anthers 4-locular, 4-valved (rarely with anthers of inner 3 stamens 2-locular), extrorse; staminodes 3, apex sagittate or cordate; ovary ovoid-ellipsoid. Drupe bluish black, nearly globose, seated in small cupule with entire single rim or tepals persistent.

Distribution

Tropical and subtropical regions, North America, Central America, South America, Asia, Pacific Islands, Australia.

Discussion

Species 300 or more (1 in the flora).

The neotropical species were formerly included in Phoebe, but they are better placed in Cinnamomum.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Cinnamomum camphora