Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Cinnamomum aromaticum (Chinese cassia, chinese cinnamon, bastard cinnamon) Syn: C. cassia

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

n

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

n

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

n

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

y

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

5

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

n

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

-3

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence

1.02

No evidence of naturalization

1.03

No evidence

2.01

Origin: Southern China, Burma, Laos, Vietnam. Commercial cultivation is restricted to China and Vietnam.

http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/generic_frame.html?Cinn_cas.html

2.02

2.03

(1)Hardiness Range: 9B - 11 (2)Elevation 0-500 m, tropical wet (Ar), subtropical humid (Cf), subtropical dry winter (Cw), In southern China, most cultivation of chinese cassia takes place on terraced hillsides at 90-300 m in elevation, but the tree can be found wild at altitudes up to 500 m. It grows well where the weather is hot and humid.

(1)http://www.hortpix.com/pc1087.htm (2)http://pppis.fao.org/

2.04

Origin: Southern China, Burma, Laos, Vietnam. Commercial cultivation is restricted to China and Vietnam.

http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/generic_frame.html?Cinn_cas.html

2.05

(1) Nigeria, (2) Indonesia, (3) Taiwan, (4) Brazil (5)India

(1) Lockwood, G. B. (1979) The major constituents of the essential oils of Cinnamomum cassia Blume growing in Nigeria. Planta Medica, 1979, Vol.36, No.4, pp.380-381, 8 ref.
(2) Brandt, H. (1977) Economics of cassia bark production in West Sumatra. Tropenlandwirt, 1977, Vol.78, No.October, pp.107-120, 3 ref.
(3) Liu, T. S.; Liao, J. C. (1979) Miscellaneous notes on the native and introduced woody plants of Taiwan (II). Quarterly Journal of the Taiwan Museum, 1979, Vol.32, No.1/2, pp.27-31
(4)Philippi, J. M. de S.; Moretto, E. (1995) Salmonella and fecal coliforms in cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia Blume and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees) sold in the city of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. [FT: Ocorrência de Salmonella e coliformes de origem fecal na canela em Pó (Cinnamomum cassia Blume e Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees) comercializada em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 1995, Vol.11, No.4, pp.624-628, 16 ref. (5)http://www.aisef.org/spices/cassia.htm

3.01

No evidence of naturalization

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

Cinnamomum camphora environmental weed

http://www.fleppc.org/03list.htm

4.01

No evidence

http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/generic_frame.html?Cinn_cas.html

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

not used as fodder

http://pppis.fao.org/

4.05

no evidence

4.06

(1) AB: The pathogen causing this disease of Cinnamomum cassia [C. aromaticum ] in China was identified as Botryodiplodia theobromae .
(2) This fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae (syn. Botryodiplodia theobromae) has a wide host range around the world. However, the focus of this summary is its affect on papaya. In Hawaii, the only other known host of this fungus is cacao (Theobroma cacao). [wide host range]

(1) Cen BingZhan; Deng RuiLiang (1994) Pathogenic identification of cinnamon dieback. Journal of South China Agricultural University, 1994, Vol.15, No.3, pp.28-34, 13 ref.
(2) http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop/Type/l_theob.htm

4.07

(1) AB: A case report of allergic contact dermatitis, caused by contact with cassia [Cinnamomum aromaticum ] essential oil (used as a flavouring in coffee), in a 52-year-old man is reported.
(2) AB: " the general toxicity of essential oils, the adverse effects caused by essential oils, and the specific toxicities of Myristica fragrans , Eucalyptus , Mentha pulegium , Cinnamon cassia [Cinnamomum aromaticum ], Hedeoma pulegiodes [H. pulegioides ] and Artemisia essential oils are presented". [essential oil may occasionally/ rarely cause allergy]

(1) Benito, V. de; Alzaga, R. (1999) Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from cassia (Chinese cinnamon) as a flavouring agent in coffee. Contact Dermatitis, 1999, Vol.40, No.3, p.165, 4 ref.
(2) Woolf, A. (1999) Essential oil poisoning. Journal of Toxicology, Clinical Toxicology, 1999, Vol.37, No.6, pp.721-727, 31 ref.

4.08

Probably not - 'In India, cassia is grown in the North-Eastern states and in the evergreen tracts along the high ranges of the Western Ghats.' -suggests that the species inhabits wet habitats. It is an evergreen tree.

http://www.spiceskerala.com/cassia.htm http://www.spiceskerala.com/cassia.htm

4.09

(1)prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun (2)clear skies to cloudy skies

(1)http://www.hortpix.com/pc1087.htm (2)http://pppis.fao.org/

4.1

(1)cultivated in sandy soil as a shrub.(2)soil - heavy, medium, light

(1)http://www.aisef.org/spices/cassia.htm (2)http://pppis.fao.org/

4.11

Proabably not - not a vine.

http://www.spiceskerala.com/cassia.htm

4.12

No evidence

5.01

'The tree is a tropical evergreen, reaching up to 50 feet…'

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/Crops/Cassia.html

5.02

Lauraceae

5.03

Lauraceae

5.04

Lauraceae

6.01

No information regarding reproduction.

6.02

"Initial germination before processing 95%"

http://www.dfsc.dk/pdf/IPGRI%20tests/Cinnamomum.pdf

6.03

No evidence

6.04

No evidence

6.05

Probably not - the flowers do not appear to have any special adaptations for pollination.

http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/generic_frame.html?Cinn_cas.html

6.06

no evidence

6.07

The buds are cut when trees are 5-7 years.

http://pppis.fao.org/

7.01

Probably not - no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachment.

7.02

Probably yes - valued as a medicinal plant.

http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/generic_frame.html?Cinn_cas.html

7.03

Fruit weight 0.77 g; Seed weight 0.39 g [probably not, relatively large seed]

http://www.dfsc.dk/pdf/IPGRI%19tests/Cinnamomum.pdf

7.04

no evidence

7.05

no evidence

7.06

Probably yes - fruits in the genus Cinnamomum are usually berries.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

7.07

Probably not- no evidence that the propagules have any means of attachement.

7.08

Probably yes - fruits in the genus Cinnamomum are usually berries.

Wagner,W. L., D. R. Herbst & S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of flowering plants of Hawaii.University of Hawaii at Press. Honolulu.

8.01

Fruit weight 0.77 g; Seed weight 0.39 g [probably not, relatively large seed]

http://www.dfsc.dk/pdf/IPGRI%19tests/Cinnamomum.pdf

8.02

"Initial germination before processing 95%" [no sign of dormancy]

http://www.dfsc.dk/pdf/IPGRI%20tests/Cinnamomum.pdf

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

bark peeled from tree

www.breitlingweb.de/PAGEBILD/Gloss_1e.HTM

8.05

Don’t know.