The genus Neocinnamomum includes several plants of commercial importance. The species are important and conspicuous trees in many of their native ecosystems known only from tropical Asia.  
 The tree grows in lowlands the lower and the middle mountain zones. The leaves are shiny and leathery. 
 The tree Neocinnamomum mekongense is a species that grows in the Butterfly Spring in the mountains north of Dali, China.  Masses of butterflies congregate on its branches in the springtime making it a popular tourist destination.  
 The fossil record suggests that both Neocinnamomum and the related genus Caryodaphnopsis have an ancient Laurasian origin.http://www.umsl.edu/~renners/Chanderbali_et_alAMBG2001.pdf