Kaningag

Cinnamomum cebuense Kost.

Family Name: LAURACEAE

COMMON NAME:
Kaningag

DISTRIBUTION:
Endemic to Cebu, found in low regenerating forests at 800 masl; only known to grow in the forest fragments of Cantipla and Tabunan in Cebu City; local residents report greater population in Cantipla.

DESCRIPTION:
Habit:
Small tree growing up to 4 m high; branchlets smooth; terminal bud small.

Leaves:
Opposite; ovate-elliptic; up to 16 cm long and 11 cm wide; base acute to wedge-shaped; tapering with sharp tip; leathery; smooth on both sides, glossy above, paler below; midrib and two lateral basal nerves prominent; petiole 1 cm long.

Flowers:
Panicles terminal, aggregate, many-flowered, densely hairy, up to 17 cm long; anther 4-celled.

USES:
Bark:

Used by local residents as remedy for stomachache, whereby the bark is either chewed directly or boiled with a glass of water before intake; no other uses reported.

Leaves:
Potential source of spice as with other closely related species.

Kaningag