Wild Cinnamon (Canella winterana)

Plant Creations Nursery Wild Cinnamon Canella winterana

Common Name Wild Cinnamon

Latin Name Canella winterana

Family Canellaceae

Native Yes

Zone 10A, 10B, 11

Height Up to 30 Feet

Spread 6 Feet

Salt Water Tolerance Moderate 

Salt Wind Tolerance Moderate

Drought Tolerance Moderate

Soil Moist, well-drained limestone or calcareous sandy soils, with humusy top layer

Sun Full sun to light shade

Wildlife Attractant Nectar plant for Swallowtail butterflies; Bees

Nellis, David W. (1994) Seashore Plants of South Florida and the Carribbean 1st Ed. Pineapple Press. Inc.

source 

Main Uses

Wild Cinnamon is perfect as a hardy ornamental tree and for its red berries and flowers.  It can also be used for hedges and screening.

Wild Cinnamon also has medicinal purposes. When using its inner bark to make tea, it is said to treat fever, indigestion, sore throats, and aches and pains.

This tree is a native South Floridian tree, also found through the Greater and Lesser Antilles, Barbados, and into northern South America. 

We love Wild Cinnamon so much, we incorporated it into our logo!

Appearance

Its pretty little purplish/red flowers show themselves mostly during winter months, but can bloom during any month of the year.

Wild Cinnamon likes well drained/rocky soil, and is moderately tolerant to salt and drought. 

Wildlife Attractant 

The flowers of Wild Cinnamon produce lots of nectar, attracting bees and swallowtail butterflies

The stems and leaves are said to be toxic to chickens, and a repellent to cockroaches.

Plant Creations Nursery Wild Cinnamon Canella winterana