Latin Name : | Styrax benzoe (synonym: Styrax tonkinensis) |
English Name : | Benzoin |
French Name : | Benjoin |
Family : | Styracaceae |
Origin : | Indonesia (Sumatra, Java), Malaysia, Laos |
History and Origin
Large tropical tree with light green leaves and hard shell fruits. Benzoin comes from Sumatra, Java and Malaysia. The gum is extracted by making an incision in the trunk of the tree. Styrax is known since Antiquity for its disinfectant and perfuming properties.