Cinnamon
Cinnamomum polymorphum, Mittelmiozän
About the object
Only the silhouette of the leaf and the impressions made by the large leaf veins from this extinct species of cinnamon tree were preserved in the chalk-rich, petrified mud. The previously existing layer of carbon on this specimen is largely worn away and can be only be recognised by individual, black specks.
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Thermophile plants, such as cinnamon, which today are widely distributed throughout tropical Asia and Australia, also grew in central Europe 13.5 million years ago. The climatic conditions under which C. polymorphum flourished are comparable to those enjoyed by the still extant and taxonomically-related Camphora tree, C. camphora in the temperate, subtropical and tropical mountain conditions of East Asia. Its bark is used in the manufacture of perfume. There are between 250 and 350 species within the Cinnamomum genus. All of these species contain aromatic oils in the bark, leaves and flowers. The celebrated spice cinnamon is harvested from the bark of a number of tropical Cinnamomum species. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ascertain whether the bark of the extinct C. polymorphum was also fragrantly scented like its relatives, for aromas do not fossilise.