396 Species in Genus Litsea

Frequently Asked Questions About the Litsea Genus

When I first discovered the Litsea genus, I was drawn to its versatility and unique qualities. Litsea has a range of uses, from essential oils to ornamental purposes, and offers a sensory experience that’s both aromatic and therapeutic. With so many people curious about this intriguing plant, I’ve compiled some frequently asked questions to help you better understand Litsea and its many benefits.

What is Litsea?

Litsea is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs belonging to the Lauraceae family. There are hundreds of species, but the most popular is Litsea cubeba, commonly known as May Chang. Native to Southeast Asia, this plant is known for its citrusy aroma and small fruits, often used in essential oils. You’ll find Litsea trees in tropical and subtropical climates, where they thrive in warm temperatures and moderate humidity.

Litsea species

1. Litsea aban-gibotii Ng
2. Litsea accedens (Blume) Boerl.
3. Litsea accedentoides Koord. & Valeton
4. Litsea acrantha Ridl.
5. Litsea acutivena Hayata
6. Litsea aestivalis (L.) Fernald
7. Litsea akoensis Hayata
8. Litsea alba Kosterm.
9. Litsea albayana S.Vidal
10. Litsea albescens (Hook.f.) D.G.Long
11. Litsea albicans (Kurz) Hook.f.
12. Litsea albida (Kosterm.) Kosterm.
13. Litsea alleniana A.C.Sm.
14. Litsea alveolata C.K.Allen
15. Litsea amicorum Kosterm.
16. Litsea anamalayana Robi & Udayan
17. Litsea anamo Kosterm.
18. Litsea andreana Ng
19. Litsea aneityensis Guillaumin
20. Litsea angulata Blume
21. Litsea anomala Merr.
22. Litsea areolata (Blume) Boerl.
23. Litsea artocarpifolia Gamble
24. Litsea assamica Hook.f.
25. Litsea aurea Kosterm.
26. Litsea auricolor Kosterm.
27. Litsea auriculata S.S.Chien & W.C.Cheng
28. Litsea australis B.Hyland
29. Litsea bainingensis Rech.
30. Litsea balansae Lecomte
31. Litsea banaensis de Kok
32. Litsea barringtonioides Kosterm.
33. Litsea baruringensis Elmer
34. Litsea baticulin (Blanco) Kosterm.
35. Litsea baviensis Lecomte
36. Litsea beilschmiediifolia H.W.Li
37. Litsea bennettii B.Hyland
38. Litsea bernhardensis C.K.Allen
39. Litsea beusekomii Kosterm.
40. Litsea biflora H.P.Tsui
41. Litsea bindoniana (F.Muell.) F.Muell.
42. Litsea boerlagei Kosterm.
43. Litsea borneensis (Meisn.) Boerl.
44. Litsea bourdillonii Gamble
45. Litsea brachypoda C.K.Allen
46. Litsea brachystachya (Blume) Fern.-Vill.
47. Litsea brassii O.C.Schmidt
48. Litsea brawas (Blume) Boerl.
49. Litsea brevipes Kosterm. ex H.H.Pham
50. Litsea breviumbellata C.K.Allen
51. Litsea brookeana Kosterm.
52. Litsea buinensis Kosterm.
53. Litsea burckelloides A.C.Sm.
54. Litsea calicaris (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Kirk
55. Litsea calophylla (Miq.) Mansf.
56. Litsea calophyllantha K.Schum.
57. Litsea cambodiana Lecomte
58. Litsea cangyuanensis J.Li & H.W.Li
59. Litsea caroli Teschner
60. Litsea carrii Kosterm.
61. Litsea castanea Hook.f.
62. Litsea catubigensiskos Kosterm.
63. Litsea caulocarpa Merr.
64. Litsea ceramensis Kosterm.
65. Litsea chartacea (Wall. ex Nees) Hook.f.
66. Litsea chengshuzhii H.P.Tsui
67. Litsea chewii Kosterm.
68. Litsea chinpingensis Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
69. Litsea chrysoneura Kosterm.
70. Litsea chrysophoena (Blume) Boerl.
71. Litsea chrysopleura (Blume) Boerl.
72. Litsea chunii W.C.Cheng
73. Litsea citronella Kosterm.
74. Litsea clarissae (Teschner) Kosterm.
75. Litsea clarkei Prain
76. Litsea claviflora Gamble
77. Litsea clemensii C.K.Allen
78. Litsea coelestis H.P.Tsui
79. Litsea collina S.Moore
80. Litsea complanata C.K.Allen
81. Litsea confusa Koord. & Valeton
82. Litsea connorsii B.Hyland
83. Litsea cordata (Jack) Hook.f.
84. Litsea coreana H.Lév.
85. Litsea coriacea (B.Heyne ex Nees) Hook.f.
86. Litsea costalis (Nees) Kosterm.
87. Litsea crassifolia (Blume) Boerl.
88. Litsea crebriflora S.Moore
89. Litsea crenata C.K.Allen
90. Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. Plant FAQs: Litsea Cubeba
91. Litsea cuprea Merr.
92. Litsea curtisii Gamble
93. Litsea cuspidata (Blume) Boerl.
94. Litsea cuttingiana C.K.Allen
95. Litsea densiflora (Teschner) Kosterm.
96. Litsea deplanchei Guillaumin
97. Litsea depressa H.P.Tsui
98. Litsea dielsiana Teschner
99. Litsea dilleniifolia P.Y.Pai & P.H.Huang
100. Litsea diospyrifolia Quisumb.
101. Litsea discocalyx Kosterm.
102. Litsea discolor (Blume) Zipp. ex Boerl.
103. Litsea diversifolia Blume
104. Litsea domarensis O.C.Schmidt
105. Litsea dorsalicana M.Q.Han & Y.S.Huang
106. Litsea doshia (D.Don) Kosterm.
107. Litsea dunniana H.Lév.
108. Litsea elliptica Blume
109. Litsea ellipticibacca Merr.
110. Litsea elmeri Merr.
111. Litsea elmeriana Rasingam & Karthig.
112. Litsea elongata (Nees) Hook.f.
113. Litsea engleriana Teschner
114. Litsea erectinervia Kosterm.
115. Litsea eugenioides A.Chev. ex H.Liu
116. Litsea exsudens Kosterm.
117. Litsea fenestrata Gamble
118. Litsea ferruginea (Blume) Blume
119. Litsea ficoidea Kosterm.
120. Litsea filipedunculata Kosterm.
121. Litsea flexuosa (Blume) Boerl.
122. Litsea floribunda (Blume) Gamble
123. Litsea fluminensis Kosterm.
124. Litsea fo K.Schum. & Lauterb.
125. Litsea formanii Kosterm.
126. Litsea forstenii (Blume) Boerl.
127. Litsea fosbergii Kosterm.
128. Litsea foveola Kosterm.
129. Litsea fulva (Blume) Fern.-Vill.
130. Litsea fulvosericea C.K.Allen
131. Litsea garciae S.Vidal
132. Litsea gardneri (Thwaites) Meisn.
133. Litsea gemelliflora (Miq.) Boerl.
134. Litsea ghatica Saldanha
135. Litsea gigaphylla Kosterm.
136. Litsea gilgiana Teschner
137. Litsea glaberrima (Thwaites) Trimen
138. Litsea glabrata (Wall. ex Nees) Hook.f.
139. Litsea glabrifolia Ridl.
140. Litsea glaucescens Kunth
141. Litsea globifera Kosterm.
142. Litsea globosa Kosterm.
143. Litsea globularia Ng
144. Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B.Rob.
145. Litsea gongshanensis H.W.Li
146. Litsea gorayana Udayan & Robi
147. Litsea gracilipes Hook.f.
148. Litsea grandifolia Lecomte
149. Litsea grandis (Nees) Hook.f.
150. Litsea granitica B.Hyland
151. Litsea grayana A.C.Sm.
152. Litsea greenmaniana C.K.Allen
153. Litsea grisea (Blume) Boerl.
154. Litsea guppyi (F.Muell.) Forman
155. Litsea habbemensis C.K.Allen
156. Litsea hayatae Kaneh.
157. Litsea helferi Hook.f.
158. Litsea henricksonii Kosterm.
159. Litsea himalayensis R.Kr.Singh
160. Litsea hirsutissima Gamble
161. Litsea hirta (Blume) Boerl.
162. Litsea honbaensis de Kok
163. Litsea honghoensis H.Liu
164. Litsea hookeri (Meisn.) D.G.Long
165. Litsea hornei A.C.Sm.
166. Litsea humboldtiana Guillaumin
167. Litsea hunanensis Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
168. Litsea hupehana Hemsl.
169. Litsea hutchinsonii Merr.
170. Litsea hypophaea Hayata
171. Litsea ichangensis Gamble
172. Litsea ilocana Merr.
173. Litsea imbricata Guillaumin
174. Litsea impressa (Blume) Boerl.
175. Litsea imthurnii Turrill
176. Litsea indoverticillata Robi & Udayan
177. Litsea insignis (Blume) Boerl.
178. Litsea intermedia (Blume) Boerl.
179. Litsea irianensis Kosterm.
180. Litsea japonica (Thunb.) Juss.
181. Litsea jaswirii Ng
182. Litsea johorensis Gamble
183. Litsea kakkachensis R.Ganesan
184. Litsea kauloensis Teschner
185. Litsea keralana Kosterm.
186. Litsea kerrii Kosterm.
187. Litsea kingii Hook.f.
188. Litsea kobuskiana C.K.Allen
189. Litsea kurzii King ex Hook.f.
190. Litsea kwangsiensis Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
191. Litsea kwangtungensis H.T.Chang
192. Litsea laeta (Nees) Trimen
193. Litsea laevifolia Kosterm. ex H.H.Pham
194. Litsea laevigata (Nees) Gamble
195. Litsea lanceolata (Blume) Kosterm.
196. Litsea lancifolia (Roxb. ex Nees) Fern.-Vill.
197. Litsea lancilimba Merr.
198. Litsea lecardii Guillaumin
199. Litsea ledermannii Teschner
200. Litsea leefeana (F.Muell.) Merr.
201. Litsea leiantha (Kurz) Hook.f.
202. Litsea leytensis Merr.
203. Litsea liboshengii H.P.Tsui
204. Litsea ligustrina (Nees) Fern.-Vill.
205. Litsea lithocarpoides Kosterm.
206. Litsea litseifolia (C.K.Allen) Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
207. Litsea longepedunculata Kosterm.
208. Litsea longipedicellata Kosterm.
209. Litsea longipes (Meisn.) Hook.f.
210. Litsea luzonica (Blume) Fern.-Vill.
211. Litsea machilifolia Gamble
212. Litsea machiloides Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
213. Litsea mafuluensis C.K.Allen
214. Litsea magnifolia Gillespie
215. Litsea maingayi Hook.f.
216. Litsea maluensis Teschner
217. Litsea manilaliana Robi & Udayan
218. Litsea martabanica (Kurz) Hook.f.
219. Litsea mathuataensis A.C.Sm.
220. Litsea megalophylla Merr.
221. Litsea megamalayana Karupp., V.Ravich. & Bharath
222. Litsea meghalayensis R.Kr.Singh
223. Litsea mekongensis Lecomte
224. Litsea melchioriana (Teschner) Kosterm.
225. Litsea mellifera A.C.Sm.
226. Litsea membranifolia Hook.f.
227. Litsea meyeri Kosterm.
228. Litsea miana Guillaumin
229. Litsea micrantha Merr.
230. Litsea minor Teschner
231. Litsea miqueliana (Kuntze) ined.
232. Litsea mishmiensis Hook.f.
233. Litsea mollis Hemsl.
234. Litsea monopetala (Roxb.) Pers.
235. Litsea montis-dulit Airy Shaw
236. Litsea morobensis C.K.Allen
237. Litsea morotaiensis Kosterm.
238. Litsea morrisonensis Hayata
239. Litsea moupinensis Lecomte
240. Litsea muellerorum I.M.Turner
241. Litsea myristicifolia (Wall. ex Nees) Hook.f.
242. Litsea mysorensis Gamble
243. Litsea nemoralis (Thwaites) Trimen
244. Litsea neocaledonica S.Moore
245. Litsea neohebridensis Kosterm.
246. Litsea nervosa (Meisn.) Grierson & D.G.Long
247. Litsea nhatrangensis de Kok
248. Litsea nicobarica Bhuinya & P.Singh
249. Litsea nigrescens Gamble
250. Litsea nigricans (Meisn.) Boerl.
251. Litsea nitida (Roxb. ex Nees) Hook.f.
252. Litsea noronhae Blume
253. Litsea novoguinensis Teschner
254. Litsea novoleontis Bartlett
255. Litsea nuculanea (Kurz) Hook.f.
256. Litsea oblongifolia Merr.
257. Litsea obscura (Blume) Boerl.
258. Litsea oleoides (Meisn.) Hook.f.
259. Litsea oligophlebia H.T.Chang
260. Litsea oppositifolia Gibbs
261. Litsea orocola Kosterm.
262. Litsea ovalifolia (Wight) Trimen
263. Litsea ovalis Kosterm.
264. Litsea pallens Lundell
265. Litsea pallida (Blume) Boerl.
266. Litsea pallidifolia Merr.
267. Litsea palmatinervia (Meisn.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Drake
268. Litsea palustris Kosterm.
269. Litsea panamanja (Buch.-Ham. ex Nees) Hook.f.
270. Litsea papillosa C.K.Allen
271. Litsea papuana K.Schum.
272. Litsea parvifolia (Hemsl.) Mez
273. Litsea pedicellata Bartlett
274. Litsea pedunculata (Diels) Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
275. Litsea penangiana Hook.f.
276. Litsea pentaflora Guillaumin
277. Litsea pentagona Merr.
278. Litsea perfulva Elmer
279. Litsea perglabra C.K.Allen
280. Litsea perlucida C.K.Allen
281. Litsea perrottetii (Blume) Fern.-Vill.
282. Litsea philippinensis Merr.
283. Litsea phuwuaensis Ngerns.
284. Litsea pickeringii (A.Gray ex Seem.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Drake
285. Litsea pittosporifolia Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
286. Litsea plateifolia Elmer
287. Litsea polyneura (Meisn.) Boerl.
288. Litsea populifolia Gamble
289. Litsea pringlei Bartlett
290. Litsea prolixa S.Moore
291. Litsea propinqua (Blume) Boerl.
292. Litsea pruriens Kosterm.
293. Litsea pseudoelongata H.Liu
294. Litsea pseudoumbellata Kosterm.
295. Litsea psilophylla Kosterm.
296. Litsea pumila Kosterm.
297. Litsea punctata (Blume) Boerl.
298. Litsea punctulata Kosterm.
299. Litsea pungens Hemsl.
300. Litsea quadrangularis Kosterm.
301. Litsea quercoides Elmer
302. Litsea racemosa C.T.White
303. Litsea rangoonensis (Meisn.) Hook.f.
304. Litsea resinosa Blume
305. Litsea reticulata (Meisn.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex F.Muell.
306. Litsea richii A.C.Sm.
307. Litsea ridleyi Gamble
308. Litsea rigidifrons Kosterm.
309. Litsea riparia (Blume) Boerl.
310. Litsea ripidion Guillaumin
311. Litsea robusta Blume
312. Litsea rotundata (Blume) Kosterm.
313. Litsea rotundifolia (Nees) Hemsl.
314. Litsea rubescens Lecomte
315. Litsea rubicunda Kosterm.
316. Litsea rubiginosa (Blume) Boerl.
317. Litsea rubra Blume
318. Litsea rubrobrunnea de Kok
319. Litsea salicifolia (Roxb. ex Nees) Hook.f.
320. Litsea saligna (Nees) N.P.Balakr.
321. Litsea salmonea A.Chev. ex Dao
322. Litsea samoensis (Christoph.) A.C.Sm.
323. Litsea sandakanensis Merr.
324. Litsea santapaui Kosterm.
325. Litsea schlechteri Teschner
326. Litsea seemannii (Meisn.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Drake
327. Litsea segregata Elmer
328. Litsea semecarpifolia (Wall. ex Nees) Hook.f.
329. Litsea sepikensis Kosterm.
330. Litsea sericea (Wall. ex Nees) Hook.f.
331. Litsea sessiliflora Hook.f.
332. Litsea sessilifructa (C.J.Qi & K.W.Liu) L.Wu & J.J.Zhou
333. Litsea sessilis Boerl.
334. Litsea siamensis van der Werff
335. Litsea sinoglobosa J.Li & H.W.Li
336. Litsea solomonensis C.K.Allen
337. Litsea spathulata Kosterm.
338. Litsea spathuliformis Munzinger & McPherson
339. Litsea sphaerocarpa Blume
340. Litsea staintonii Kosterm.
341. Litsea steenisii Kosterm.
342. Litsea stenophylla Guillaumin
343. Litsea stickmanii Merr.
344. Litsea stocksii (Meisn.) Hook.f.
345. Litsea subauriculata Kosterm.
346. Litsea subcoriacea Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
347. Litsea suberosa Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
348. Litsea suboppositifolia Ng
349. Litsea subovata (Miq.) Kosterm.
350. Litsea subumbelliflora (Blume) Ng
351. Litsea sulavesiana Kosterm.
352. Litsea sumatrana (Miq.) Boerl.
353. Litsea szemaois (H.Liu) J.Li & H.W.Li
354. Litsea talaumifolia Kosterm.
355. Litsea tannaensis Guillaumin
356. Litsea taronensis H.W.Li
357. Litsea tenuipes Ridl.
358. Litsea tetranthera Mirb.
359. Litsea tharpiana Standl.
360. Litsea thorelii Lecomte
361. Litsea tibetana Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
362. Litsea timonioides Kosterm.
363. Litsea tomentosa Blume
364. Litsea travancorica Gamble
365. Litsea trichophylla Kosterm.
366. Litsea triflora Guillaumin
367. Litsea tsinlingensis Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
368. Litsea tuberculata (Blume) Boerl.
369. Litsea turfosa Kosterm.
370. Litsea udayanii Robi
371. Litsea umbellata (Lour.) Merr.
372. Litsea uniflora Guillaumin
373. Litsea unita (Blume) Boerl.
374. Litsea urdanetensis Elmer
375. Litsea utilis (Meisn.) Boerl.
376. Litsea vang Lecomte
377. Litsea vanoverberghii Merr.
378. Litsea variabilis Hemsl.
379. Litsea varians (Blume) Boerl.
380. Litsea veitchiana Gamble
381. Litsea velutina (Blume) Boerl.
382. Litsea venulosa (Meisn.) Hook.f.
383. Litsea versteeghii C.K.Allen
384. Litsea verticillata Hance
385. Litsea verticillifolia Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
386. Litsea virens (Nees) Boerl.
387. Litsea viridis H.Liu
388. Litsea vitiana (Meisn.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Drake
389. Litsea walkeri Trimen
390. Litsea whiteana C.K.Allen
391. Litsea whitfordii Merr.
392. Litsea wightiana (Nees) Wall. ex Hook.f.
393. Litsea wilsonii Gamble
394. Litsea xanthophylla (Blume) Boerl.
395. Litsea yaoshanensis Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang
396. Litsea yunnanensis Yen C.Yang & P.H.Huang

What Does Litsea Smell Like?

The scent of Litsea, particularly from Litsea cubeba, is fresh, lemony, and slightly floral. Imagine a blend of lemongrass and citrus fruits, with a hint of spice in the background. The aroma is often described as uplifting and refreshing, making it a popular ingredient in perfumes, soaps, and aromatherapy.

What is Litsea Essential Oil?

Litsea essential oil is extracted from the fruits of the Litsea cubeba plant through steam distillation. It’s a light, citrus-scented oil with a bright, invigorating fragrance. In aromatherapy, Litsea oil is often used for its mood-lifting properties. It also has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent qualities, making it useful in skincare products.

What is Litsea Essential Oil Used For?

Litsea essential oil has several applications. I often use it in diffusers to help uplift the mood and reduce stress. Its antimicrobial properties make it a great addition to cleaning products, while its astringent nature is beneficial in skincare routines to tone and purify the skin. Some people use Litsea oil to alleviate respiratory issues, thanks to its decongestant properties. It’s also great for combating oily skin and acne due to its cleansing abilities.

What is Litsea Good For?

Litsea is good for many things. Its essential oil is prized for emotional balance, helping to reduce anxiety and uplift the spirits. In skincare, Litsea oil can help tone and tighten the skin while managing acne. Its antimicrobial and antifungal properties also make it useful for cleaning, especially when you want to add a fresh scent to your home. Some people use it in massage blends for its anti-inflammatory effects, soothing sore muscles and joints.

How to Use Litsea Oil?

There are several ways I like to use Litsea oil. For aromatherapy, I’ll add a few drops to my diffuser to create a calming and energizing environment. It can also be added to a carrier oil and applied topically to help with skin conditions or mixed into lotions and creams for a refreshing scent. Litsea oil works well in homemade cleaning solutions too—just mix it with water and vinegar for a natural disinfectant. However, always dilute it properly when applying to the skin.

Is Litsea Photosensitive?

One important thing to know is that Litsea oil is not photosensitive, meaning it doesn’t cause adverse reactions when exposed to sunlight. This makes it safe to use in skincare products, unlike other citrus oils like lemon or bergamot, which can lead to skin irritation when exposed to UV rays.

Is Litsea Safe for Dogs?

Litsea oil should be used with caution around pets, including dogs. While it’s not considered toxic, essential oils, in general, can cause adverse reactions in pets, especially when used in high concentrations. I would recommend consulting your vet before using Litsea oil around your dog to ensure safety. If you diffuse it at home, make sure your dog can leave the room if they find the scent overwhelming.

Is Litsea Safe for Internal Use?

Ingesting Litsea oil is generally not recommended unless under the supervision of a healthcare professional. While some essential oils are used internally for therapeutic purposes, Litsea oil may cause irritation or toxicity when taken orally. It’s best to stick to external applications like diffusion or topical use.

What Does Litsea Taste Like?

If you’re curious about the taste, Litsea fruits are often described as slightly tangy with a hint of spice. The flavor is not typically used in culinary applications but is more common in traditional medicine. The oil itself is not consumed due to potential irritation, but the fruits may sometimes be incorporated into herbal remedies.

Can You Grow Litsea Indoors?

Growing Litsea indoors can be challenging because the plant prefers warm, tropical environments. However, with the right care, such as plenty of sunlight and a humid environment, you might succeed with smaller species or young plants. Just make sure to give it ample light, and water regularly, as Litsea enjoys moist but well-drained soil.

How to Care for Litsea Plants?

Caring for Litsea requires the right climate and attention to its needs. These plants thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer consistently moist, well-drained soil. If you live in a tropical or subtropical region, you can plant them outdoors, but they also make great additions to greenhouses. Fertilize the plant during the growing season and water regularly, making sure not to let the soil dry out completely.

Is Litsea Toxic?

Litsea is generally safe for humans, though, as with any plant, it’s a good idea to avoid ingesting large amounts of the fruit or leaves without proper guidance. The essential oil, while beneficial in many ways, should not be consumed internally. As mentioned earlier, use caution with pets, and always consult an expert if unsure.