Cryptocarya agathophylla

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Cryptocarya agathophylla (sometimes called clove nutmeg) is a member of the laurel family, Lauraceae, and originates in Madagascar.

Cryptocarya agathophylla
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Laurales
Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Cryptocarya
Species:
C. agathophylla
Binomial name
Cryptocarya agathophylla
van der Werff
Synonyms[2]
  • Agathophyllum aromaticum (Sonn.) Schreb. ex Forsyth f.
  • Agathophyllum ravensara Mirb. ex Steud.
  • Evodia aromatica (Sonn.) Pers.
  • Evodia ravensarae Gaertn.
  • Ravensara anisata Danguy
  • Ravensara aromatica J.F.Gmel.
  • Ravensara aromatica Sonn.

Malagasy names include tavolobelelo,[1] havozo, hazomanitra and tavolomanitra. The former genus name Ravensara is a latinization of the Malagasy word ravintsara.[3]

Description

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Cryptocarya agathophylla is a small to medium-sized tree, growing up to 15 meters high.[1] The leaves and twigs of C. agathophylla have a mildly camphorous aroma similar to eucalyptus.

Range and habitat

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Cryptocarya agathophylla is endemic to Madagascar. It grows in humid and subhumid lowland forests and lower montane forests and secondary vegetation between 10 and 1,300 meters elevation.[1]

It is known from 11 locations in the central and eastern parts of Bongolava, Vatovavy Analanjirofo and Alaotra-Mangoro regions. Its estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is 116,739 km2, the minimum area of occupancy (AOO) is 56 km2.[1]

Conservation and threats

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The species' population is decreasing, and its conservation status is Near Threatened. It is threatened by habitat loss, principally from shifting agriculture, and also from logging, mining, and grazing.[1]

Essential oil

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The essential oil of C. agathophylla is used as a fragrance material in the perfumery industry, and as an antiseptic, anti-viral, antibacterial, expectorant, anti-infective in natural and folk medicine.[4] Primary aromatic components are:[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Rakotonirina, N. 2020. Cryptocarya agathophylla. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T137583298A137900098. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T137583298A137900098.en. Accessed 28 August 2022.
  2. ^ Cryptocarya agathophylla van der Werff Plants of the World Online, Kew Science. Accessed 27 August 2022.
  3. ^ Halpern, Georges M., Weverka, Peter The Healing Trail: Essential Oils of Madagascar, Basic Health Publications Inc., Laguna Beach CA, 2003, pp. 54.
  4. ^ Andrianjafinandrasana, S.N.; Andrianoelisoa, H.S.; Jeanson, M.L.; Ramonta, I.; Danthu, P. (2013). "Allelopathic effects of volatile compounds of essential oil from Ravensara aromatica Sonnerat chemotypes". Allelopathy Journal. 31 (2): 333–344 – via ResearchGate.