Chen Xiang

Aquilaria sinensis is an evergreen tree in the family Thymelaeaceae, native to southern China, Hainan, and Hong Kong, where it grows in moist evergreen broadleaf forests. Mature trees reach 6-20 meters, with smooth grayish bark and a dense rounded crown. The alternate, leathery, oblong to lanceolate leaves are 5-9 cm long, glossy dark green above and paler below, with fine secondary venation. Small, yellow-green, fragrant flowers are borne in axillary or terminal umbellate clusters, producing woody, ovoid, two-valved capsules that split to reveal one or two seeds suspended on threadlike stalks. In response to wounding and fungal infection of the heartwood, the tree produces a dense, dark, fragrant oleoresin known as agarwood or Chen Xiang, the prized medicinal and aromatic product.