Cinnamomum kanehirae, commonly known as the Stout Camphor Tree or Niu Zhang in Taiwan, is a tree species endemic to the island. This particular camphor is highly valued for its wood and other unique properties. Its immense economic and cultural importance has, unfortunately, driven it to the brink of extinction.
Botanical Profile
Cinnamomum kanehirae is a large evergreen tree that can reach heights of up to 30 meters, with a trunk diameter that can exceed two meters. A member of the Lauraceae family, it is native to Taiwan’s broad-leaved forests, found at elevations between 200 and 2,000 meters. The tree is characterized by its reddish-brown bark, which often displays distinctive longitudinal fissures. Its large, leathery leaves are alternate, broadly ovate to elliptic, and can be 10 to 15 centimeters long.
The leaves are a polished green on both sides and emit a characteristic camphor aroma when crushed. From November to December, the tree produces small, pale-yellow flowers arranged in clusters known as cymes. Following flowering, it develops berry-like fruits, which are compressed-globose in shape and transition from green to a blackish-violet color as they mature between September and October. These fruits contain a single, round seed.
Traditional and Commercial Uses
The primary driver of Cinnamomum kanehirae’s value lies in its timber. The wood is renowned for its durability, rich reddish-brown heartwood, and a strong, pleasant fragrance. These qualities make it a prized material for high-end furniture, intricate art carvings, and specialized construction. It is considered one of Taiwan’s five most valuable broadleaf trees.
Beyond its timber, the tree is a source of essential oils, which can be distilled from its branches and leaves. These oils contain camphor and other aromatic compounds. A significant factor contributing to its exploitation is its unique relationship with a parasitic fungus, Taiwanofungus camphoratus. This fungus, which grows only in the hollowed-out trunks of mature stout camphor trees, is a valuable ingredient in traditional medicine, often called the “ruby in the forest.” The belief that it contains compounds capable of inhibiting cancer cells has created immense demand.
This demand has fueled a devastating illegal market. To harvest the fungus, entire trees are often felled and cut into sections to encourage its growth, a practice that has decimated the wild population. The economic allure of both the wood and the fungus has placed unrelenting pressure on the species.
Conservation Status and Threats
Cinnamomum kanehirae is officially recognized as an endangered species. Its population has declined dramatically due to decades of over-harvesting and illegal logging. Despite strict legal protections, poaching for its wood and the medicinal fungus it hosts continues to be a persistent problem.
The species faces other challenges. Habitat loss due to the clearing of forestland for other uses has reduced its natural range. Furthermore, Cinnamomum kanehirae has a naturally slow growth rate and a low seed reproduction rate. The flowers and fruits grow high in the canopy, where birds and other animals often consume the seeds before they can mature and fall. The seeds that do reach the forest floor struggle to germinate through the thick layer of leaf litter, hindering natural regeneration.
Cultivation and Recovery Efforts
In response to the decline of Cinnamomum kanehirae, Taiwanese authorities have implemented conservation measures. The species is protected under national laws that prohibit its logging, and it is a focal point of conservation within established nature reserves. Government-led initiatives are also focused on the active restoration of the species through reforestation projects.
These efforts involve cultivating seedlings in nurseries for eventual replanting in protected forest areas. Research is ongoing to improve cultivation and propagation techniques, which could help preserve the genetic diversity of the species. Scientists are studying the tree’s genetic makeup and chemical profiles to better understand its biology and aid in its recovery. The long-term goal of these combined efforts is to stabilize the remaining wild populations and ensure the survival of this iconic Taiwanese tree for future generations.