thumb|[[Cryptocarya mackinnoniana]]

Cryptocarya is a genus of about 360 species

Taxonomy

The genus Cryptocarya was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen. The genus name Cryptocarya means 'hidden nut', referring to the fruit that is hidden by the tepals.

In a recent generic classification of Lauraceae based on DNA sequence, Cryptocarya was found to be part of a strongly supported clade that also includes Beilschmiedia, Potameia, and Endiandra.

Species list

See List of Cryptocarya species.

Distribution

Species of Cryptocarya are found in some parts of South America, southern Africa, Madagascar, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Japan, New Guinea and Australia.

Essential oil is commercially harvested from Cryptocarya agathophylla (formerly Ravensara aromatica), a tree native to the lowland rainforests of eastern Madagascar. Known as ravensara oil, it is used for aromatherapy in Europe and America.

References

  • Pictures of Cryptocarya alba or Peumo in Chile.