Common Name:

cinnamon bark, wild cinnamon, pepper cinnamon

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Canella winterana

Family:

Canellaceae

Form:

tree

Size:

15-20 (30) ft

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

red

Fruit Color:

red

Phenology:

Evergreen. Flowers in summer. All flowers within a plant bloom synchronously as functional females and after 24 hours they synchronously switch to functional males, helping to ensure cross-pollination. Fruits ripen in winter.

Noted For:

Recommended Uses:

Understory tree. Use as screen or specimen plant.

Considerations:

State endangered; acquire only from reputable sources.

Availability:

Propagation:

seed

Light:

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Tolerant of inundation with brackish water

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Humus (organic, upland), Lime Rock, Sand

Soil pH:

calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

10A, 10B, 11

Wildlife:

Fruits eaten by birds and small mammals. Hummingbirds visit the flowers.

Nectar plant for Schaus' swallowtail (Heraclides aristodemius) and other butterflies.

Native Habitats:

Rockland hammock in coastal areas.

Natural Range in Florida:

Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants

Ethnobotany:

Canella winterana has been used medicinally to treat “female tiredness” by preparing a tonic made from boiling leaves and bark. Crushed leaves can be used to numb the pain of toothaches by placing them near the tooth. Tonics of the bark are also used to treat gastrointestinal issues.

The bark and berries are dried and crushed and used commercially as a spice. The bark has also been used to flavor tobacco.

General Comments: