FNPS Plant Database

Canella winterana

cinnamon bark, wild cinnamon, pepper cinnamon
  • Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

cinnamon bark, wild cinnamon, pepper cinnamon

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Canella winterana

Family:

Canellaceae

Plant Specifics

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:

Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits, Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Understory tree. Use as screen or specimen plant.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Loam, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.



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Ecology

Wildlife:

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Birds, Mammals

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

Fruits eaten by birds and small mammals.





Hummingbirds visit the flowers.

Native Habitats:

Rockland hammock in coastal areas.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

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:

It is listed as Endangered by the state of Florida.

Citations:

Florida Wildflower Foundation.  https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-canella-winterana/


Florida Wildflower Foundation. (2020). Flower Friday: Cinnamon Bark. ( https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-canella-winterana/ ). Accessed 2026. Florida Wildflower Foundation, Maitland, FL.

Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+), Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Canewint ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


Garrett, Patrick, Richard Moore, and R. James Hickey. (2015). The Impacts of Synchronous Dichogamy on Pollen Dispersal and Genetic Differentiation in Canella winterana (Canellaceae). Abstract. ( http://2015.botanyconference.org/engine/search/index.php?func=detail&aid=1080 ). Accessed 2026. Botanical Society of America, St. Louis, MO.


Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.


Huegel, Craig N. (2010). Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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