Description
Cinnamon Bark Tree Description
Canella Winterana (Cinnamon Bark tree) is a Florida Native small tree or shrub that takes its name from the spicy fragrance of its crushed leaves. The Cinnamon Bark tree is a compact, shrubby tree reaching up to 15 feet (4.57 m) in height, with a straight trunk that develops a dense crown with age. It is easily recognized by its light gray, fissured thin bark. The dark green leaves are leathery and obovate with smooth margins, borne alternately or clustered toward the branch tips, measuring about 4 by 1.5 inches. The Cinnamon Bark flowers are arranged in small inflorescences — mildly fragrant, about 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) wide, with red petals and yellow anthers, rich in nectar and attractive to pollinators including bees and wasps. Fruits are about 3/8 inch in diameter, turning purple-red at maturity with black seeds. They attract birds and also serve as propagation material. The bark, fruits, and leaves have a history of use in herbal medicine, adding to the tree’s ornamental and ethnobotanical value.
Canella Winterana Cultivation
The Canella Winterana thrives in well-drained, alkaline soils and requires minimal pruning. The only notable pest reported is thrips, making it a low-maintenance choice for Florida landscapes. Thanks to its attractive foliage, flowers, and fruit, this Cinnamon Bark tree is a handsome ornamental well suited to gardens, patios, seaside plantings, and street applications throughout South Florida. Its dense, compact crown also makes it an excellent candidate for privacy hedges and mixed hedge compositions, where its fine-textured foliage adds volume and contrast. As a windbreak plant, it performs reliably in coastal and exposed sites. Its native status and adaptability make it a popular choice for wholesale landscape projects throughout the region. If you’re looking for a bushier, multi-trunk form of this species, explore our Cinnamon Bark Bush as well. For more on why native species matter in South Florida landscapes, see our guide to planting native trees. Other common names: Pepper Cinnamon, Palo Malambo.
Canella Winterana – Quick Reference
| Common Name | Cinnamon Bark, Pepper Cinnamon, Palo Malambo |
| Florida Native | Yes |
| Height | Up to 15 ft (4.57 m) |
| Flower Color | Red with yellow anthers |
| Flowering Season | Spring – Summer |
| Salt Tolerance | High |
| Drought Tolerance | Moderate |
| Soil | Well-drained, alkaline |
| Light | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Uses | Gardens, patios, streets, seaside, hedges, windbreaks |
🌳 More popular and beautiful plants: Bombax tree
