Indian-laurel (Litsea glutinosa, Philipp. J. Sci., C 6: 321 (1911))

Family: Lauraceae

Author: (Lour.) C.B.Rob.

Bibliography: Philipp. J. Sci., C 6: 321 (1911)

Year: 1911

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Litsea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Asia

Description

Indian-laurel, with the scientific name Litsea glutinosa, is a notable species of tree belonging to the Lauraceae family. Described in scientific literature in 1911 by C.B. Robinson, this tree finds its native roots deeply embedded in the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia.

Regarded for its ecological and practical significance, Indian-laurel thrives in a variety of climatic conditions ranging from warm tropical environments to more temperate subtropical zones. This adaptability underscores its versatility and the crucial role it plays in its native habitat. The tree’s distribution across such diverse regions highlights its resilience and the essential ecosystem services it provides.

The Indian-laurel features characteristic glossy, green leaves and a robust, sturdy trunk, which not only add to the aesthetic appeal of the landscapes it inhabits but also serve functional purposes in local traditions and cultures. The bark of this tree, in particular, has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties, often employed in various herbal remedies. Its gum is also valued for making adhesives and other binding materials.

Adding to its utilitarian value, the Indian-laurel serves crucial ecological functions. It provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife, thereby contributing to the biodiversity of the regions where it is found. The tree plays a significant role in traditional agriculture, too, often used as a shade tree in plantations and for its soil-stabilizing properties, which are crucial for preventing erosion and maintaining soil health.

Litsea glutinosa also holds importance in folk medicine. The leaves, bark, and roots of the tree possess various therapeutic properties and have been used for centuries in traditional remedies to treat a range of ailments. This medicinal significance is a testament to the tree’s integral role in the cultures and lives of the people in tropical and subtropical Asia.

Overall, the Indian-laurel is not just a botanical entity, but a cornerstone of biodiversity, traditional medicine, and local ecosystems, illustrating the deep interconnectedness between nature and human well-being.

Common Names

Eng: indian-laurel, bolly-beech, brown bolly-gum, brown bollywood, brown-beech, soft bollygum
Afr: indiese lourier
Khm: ក្រពុលបាយ
En: Indian-laurel, Bolly-beech, Brown bolly-gum, Brown bollywood, Brown-beech, Soft bollygum
Af: Indiese lourier
Km: ក្រពុលបាយ

Synonyms

• Tetranthera fruticosa (Roxb.)
• Litsea brassii (O.Schmidt)
• Tetranthera apetala (Roxb.)
• Tetranthera multiflora ((Blume) Nees)
• Litsea undulata (Zipp. ex Blume)
• Litsea ligustrina (Trimen)
• Litsea glutinosa var. platyphylla ((Pers.) Hochr.)
• Tetranthera macrantha (Wall.)
• Malapoenna undulata (Kuntze)
• Tetranthera panshia (Buch.-Ham. ex Wall.)
• Camellia integrifolia (Choisy)
• Tetradenia brideliifolia ((Hayata) Makino & Nemoto)
• Litsea platyphylla (Pers.)
• Tomex sebifera (Willd.)
• Litsea glutinosa var. brachyphylla ((Hand.-Mazz.) L.C.Wang)
• Sebifera glutinosa (Lour.)
• Litsea glutinosa var. longifolia ((Haines) K.K.Khanna)
• Dodecadenia robusta (Zoll. & Moritzi)
• Tetranthera litoralis (Blume)
• Tetranthera hispidula (Zipp. ex Blume)
• Litsea glutinosa var. normalis ((Haines) K.K.Khanna)
• Litsea involucrata ((J.Koenig ex Retz.) Hereman)
• Tetranthera daradmeda (Buch.-Ham. ex Wall.)
• Cylicodaphne sebifera (Blume)
• Litsea citrifolia (Juss.)
• Tetranthera laurifolia var. roxburghii ((Nees) Blume)
• Litsea glutinosa var. brideliifolia ((Hayata) Merr.)
• Litsea geminata (Blume)
• Tetranthera polycephala (Wall. ex Meisn.)
• Litsea wightiana ((Nees) Benth. & Hook.f. ex B.D.Jacks.)
• Tetranthera platyphylla ((Pers.) F.Dietr.)
• Laurus crucifolia (Noronha)
• Litsea glabraria (Juss.)
• Glabraria litoralis (Miq.)
• Tetranthera laurifolia var. attenuata (Blume)
• Litsea sebifera (Pers.)
• Tetranthera glabraria (F.Dietr.)
• Tetranthera citrifolia (Spreng.)
• Tetranthera geminata ((Blume) Nees)
• Tetranthera capitata (Roxb. ex Nees)
• Litsea laevis (Juss.)
• Pipalia solitaria (Stokes)
• Litsea baracatanensis (Elmer)
• Litsea laurifolia ((Jacq.) F.M.Bailey)
• Tomex tetranthera (Willd.)
• Malapoenna macrantha (Kuntze)
• Litsea glutinosa var. glabraria ((Juss.) Mudgal & K.K.Khanna)
• Polyadenia grandifolia (Miq.)
• Litsea apetala ((Roxb.) Pers.)
• Litsea brideliifolia (Hayata)
• Tetranthera sebifera (F.Dietr.)
• Decapenta involucrata (Raf.)
• Litsea laurifolia var. roxburghii ((Nees) Cordem.)
• Litsea sebifera var. brachyphylla (Hand.-Mazz.)
• Tetranthera roxburghii (Nees)
• Lepidadenia wightiana (Nees)
• Litsea glutinosa var. littoralis (Koord. & Valeton)
• Litsea multiflora (Blume)
• Litsea involucrata var. fernandezii (M.R.Almeida & S.M.Almeida)
• Tetranthera laurifolia var. multiflora (Blume)
• Tetranthera laurifolia (Jacq.)
• Litsea chinensis (Lam.)
• Tetranthera salicifolia (Zoll. ex Meisn.)

Distribution

• Andaman Is. (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Comoros (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Mar 16, 2022 by Claudia Baider (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Bibiana Marín (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2022 by Claudia Baider (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2022 by samuel nibouche (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 19, 2021 by Romain Fernandez (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Mar 16, 2022 by Claudia Baider (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2022 by Claudia Baider (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Abajee Giani (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Abajee Giani (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 13, 2022 by Bibiana Marín (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 19, 1969 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 19, 1969 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7304140)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:465709-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B.Rob.)

Specifications

Growth