Description: Trees.
Leaves opposite or alternate, often 3-veined, usually glabrous.
Inflorescences axillary panicles near the end of branches. Flowers bisexual or polygamous, 3-merous. Stamens 9, anthers 4-locular; in 3 whorls, outer 2 whorls dehiscing introrsely, glandless, inner whorl dehiscing extrorsely with pairs of basal glands; 3 staminodes in fourth whorl.
Drupe ovoid to globose; receptacle expanded and cupular around the base of fruit; perianth segments often persistent on the receptacle.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 250 species, Asia, Malesia & Australia, Pacific islands, ?Amer. Australia: 6 species (5 species endemic, 1 species naturalized), Qld, N.S.W.
Text by G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Leaves opposite or subopposite; domatia absent; petiole usually less than 10 mm long; inflorescences and buds downy | 2 |
| Leaves alternate or more or less pseudowhorled; domatia present; petiole more than 15 mm long; inflorescences and buds more or less glabrous | Cinnamomum camphora |
| 2 | Strong pleasant `sassafras' odour in all parts, especially leaves; leaves undulate, not 3-veined from near base | Cinnamomum oliveri |
| Plants with weak odour; leaves not undulate, often 3-veined from near base
Back to 1 | Cinnamomum virens |
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