Ocotea odorifera
Encyclopedia
Ocotea odorifera is a species of plant
in the Lauraceae
family. It is found in possibly Argentina
, Brazil
, and possibly Paraguay
. It is threatened by habitat loss.
It is commonly known as Brazilian sassafras or American cinnamon; though it is not a true sassafras
nor a true cinnamon
, these plants are close relatives. In trade, the junior synonym Ocotea pretiosa is often used, and there is considerable confusion between the present taxon
and Ocotea cymbarum
.
Plant
Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...
in the Lauraceae
Lauraceae
The Lauraceae or Laurel family comprises a group of flowering plants included in the order Laurales. The family contains about 55 genera and over 3500, perhaps as many as 4000, species world-wide, mostly from warm or tropical regions, especially Southeast Asia and South America...
family. It is found in possibly Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, and possibly Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
. It is threatened by habitat loss.
It is commonly known as Brazilian sassafras or American cinnamon; though it is not a true sassafras
Sassafras
Sassafras is a genus of three extant and one extinct species of deciduous trees in the family Lauraceae, native to eastern North America and eastern Asia.-Overview:...
nor a true cinnamon
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum that is used in both sweet and savoury foods...
, these plants are close relatives. In trade, the junior synonym Ocotea pretiosa is often used, and there is considerable confusion between the present taxon
Taxon
|thumb|270px|[[African elephants]] form a widely-accepted taxon, the [[genus]] LoxodontaA taxon is a group of organisms, which a taxonomist adjudges to be a unit. Usually a taxon is given a name and a rank, although neither is a requirement...
and Ocotea cymbarum
Ocotea cymbarum
Ocotea cymbarum is a species of plant in the Lauraceae family. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.-References:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 22 August 2007....
.
Source
- Varty, N. 1998. Ocotea pretiosa. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 22 August 2007.