Cinnamomum verum

The Cinnamon Tree is a small evergreen tree 10-15 meters (32.8-49.2 feet) tall, belonging to the family Lauraceae, native to Sri Lanka and South India. The bark is widely used as a spice due to its distinct odour. The leaves are ovate-oblong in shape, 7-18 cm (2.75-7.1 inches) long. The flowers, which are arranged in panicles, have a greenish color, and have a distinct odor. The fruit is a purple one-centimetre berry containing a single seed. Its flavour is due to an aromatic essential oil which makes up 0.5% to 1% of its composition. This oil is prepared by roughly pounding the bark, macerating it in seawater, and then quickly distilling the whole. It is of a golden-yellow colour, with the characteristic odour of cinnamon and a very hot aromatic taste. The pungent taste and scent come from cinnamic aldehyde or cinnamaldehyde and, by the absorption of oxygen as it ages, it darkens in colour and develops resinous compounds. Chemical components of the essential oil include ethyl cinnamate, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, beta-caryophyllene, linalool and methyl chavicol. The name cinnamon comes from Greek kinnámomon, from Phoenician and akin to Hebrew qinnâmôn, itself ultimately from a Malaysian language, cf. Malay and Indonesian kayu manis which means sweet wood. The botanical name for the spice- Cinnamomum zeylanicum - is derived from the Sri Lanka's former name, Ceylon.

Cinnamon zeylanicum, or Ceylon cinnamon, is the true cinnamon of the spice trade. It makes a wonderful container plant since the tree is slow growing. Juvenile leaves have a rich reddish-bronze color and mature leaves have a spicy aroma when rubbed. Spires of white flowers appear in spring and summer followed by small purple fruit. When the plant matures, the outer bark is scraped off and long rolls of the inner bark are cut to form cinnamon sticks. Fragrant and highly aromatic, curled cinnamon bark is used for cooking as well as herbal medicine. Cinnamon is reported to reduce blood sugar and calm nerves. Grow in an acidic potting mix in warm temperatures.