Common Name Wild Cinnamon
Latin Name Canella winterana
Family Canellaceae
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.
Wild Cinnamon Canella winterana
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.
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.
