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Cinnamomum verum

J.Presl (1823)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Magnoliids Order: Laurales Family: Lauraceae Genus: Cinnamomum

cinnamon

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Trees.

Stems: Young branches dark brown, terete (cylindrical), glabrous.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite or subopposite. Blades ovate to broadly ovate, 10–15 cm long, 4–8 cm wide. Apex blunt or slightly acute. Surfaces glabrous, blades coriaceous; hairs, when present, simple; blades usually leathery, usually with aromatic oil or mucilage cells. Margins entire. Tripliveined. Petioles stout, ca. 1 cm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in axillary, sparsely strigose inflorescences as long as or longer than leaves. Flowers usually bisexual (perfect), usually aromatic, gray pubescent, small, actinomorphic. Tepals 6, equal, erect, basal part of or entire Tepals usually persisting on rim of cupule, usually arranged in whorls of 3, usually white, greenish white, or yellow, rarely reddish. Fertile stamens 9, outer 6 introrse, inner 3 extrorse and with basal glands, staminodia present; anthers tetrathecal. Ovary superior, 1-celled; ovule 1, anatropous.

Fruit: Fruit an ellipsoid berry ca. 1 cm long; subtended by a cupule with persistent tepals attached to the rim; which can be shallow or completely envelop the fruit. Seeds without endosperm.

Ploidy: 2n = 24

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Synonyms (64)

Camphora mauritiana Lukman. (1878)
Camphorina cinnamomum (L.) Farw. (1918)
Cinnamomum alexii Kosterm. (1969)
Cinnamomum antillarum Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum aromaticum J.Graham (1839)
Cinnamomum carolinense var. oblongum Kaneh. (1932)
Cinnamomum cinnamomum (L.) H.Karst. (1881)
Cinnamomum iners Wight (1839)
Cinnamomum karrouwa Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum leptopus A.C.Sm. (1951)
Cinnamomum maheanum Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum maheanum var. karrouwa Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum mathewianum Remya Kr., E.S.S.Kumar, Radhamany, Valsalad. & R.Jagad. (2014)
Cinnamomum riedelii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (1825)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum asperifolium Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum chartaceum Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. antillanum Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. barthii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. bengalense Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. biafranum Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. bonplandii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. boutonii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. capense Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. cassia Meisn. (1864)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. cayennense Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. commersonii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. commune Meisn. (1864)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. cordifolium Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. decandollei Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. delessertii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. ellipticum Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. erectum Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. foeniculaceum Meisn. (1864)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. humboldtii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. inodorum Meisn. (1864)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. leschenaultii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. madrassicum Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. mauritianum Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. meissneri Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. microphyllum Meisn. (1864)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. ovatum Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. pallasii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. pleei Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. pourretii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. regelii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. roxburghii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. sieberi Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. sonneratii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. subcordatum Meisn. (1864)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. vaillantii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. variabile Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. vulgare Hayne (1833)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum var. wolkensteinii Lukman. (1878)
Cinnamomum zollingeri Lukman. (1878)
Laurus cassia Burm.f. (1768)
Laurus cinnamifera Stokes (1812)
Laurus cinnamomea Salisb. (1796)
Laurus cinnamomum L. (1753)
Laurus cinnamomum makoyanum Jacob-Makoy (1870)
Laurus culitlaban Buch.-Ham. ex Nees (1831)
Laurus montana Link ex Meisn. (1864)
Laurus rigida Wall. (1830)
Persea cinnamomum Spreng. (1825)

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Only found in cultivation
Maui Only found in cultivation
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Birds

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Prir. Rostlin 2: 36 (1823)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:846 (K, O, M); Imada et al. 2000:12 (H); Staples & Herbst 2005:366 (DESCR); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:189 (remove O, M [no evidence of nat.])

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Cinnamomum verum Maui Island, east, haleakala near ulupalakua in 1675 lava flow UNKNOWN . Coordinates do not match to country in source data. http://herbie.zoology.ubc.ca/~botany/herbarium/details.php?db=vwsp.fp7&layout=vwsp_web_details&recid=122970&ass_num=V180675. Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria Vladimir J. Krajina V180675 Maui HAPI 3/17/1962
2 Cinnamomum verum S of road next to Limihuli Stream UNKNOWN . Coordinates do not match to country in source data. Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria Vladimir J. Krajina V180675 Kauai HAPI 3/17/1962
3 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum; behind first cottage Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 48 Oahu BISH 1988-09-30
4 Cinnamomum verum Oahu Island, Manoa Arboretum. Cultivated UNKNOWN Bioversity International C. R. Annable Oahu HAPI 5/20/1997
5 Cinnamomum verum DOE Nursery at Kahala Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1985-05-01
6 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum; behind first cottage Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 47 Oahu BISH 1988-09-30
7 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 46 Oahu BISH 1988-09-30
8 Cinnamomum verum Kawaihau District. Moloaa, at Moloaa Bay Coffee Farm. Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Small tree/shrub, approximately 1.5 meters tall, bark reddish brown near base of tree, green on new growth; leaves bright, light green with yellow veins, some leaves slightly twisted, strong cinnamon fragrance when crushed; flowers immature on erect inflorescences, petals greenish-white; fruit not present. Brock, K. 881 Kauai BISH 2016-08-22
9 Cinnamomum verum Wailuku at old Baldwin home Preserved_Specimen Zschokke, T.C. Maui BISH 1932-03-31
10 Cinnamomum verum Foster Botanical Garden Full sun Preserved_Specimen A spreading tree 6m tall with a dense crown. Tepals cream. Flowers slightly fragrant (noon). Lau, J. 1591 Oahu BISH 1985-11-04
11 Cinnamomum verum Foster Botanical Garden Full sun Preserved_Specimen A spreading tree 6m tall with a dense crown. Tepals cream. Flowers slightly fragrant (noon). Lau, J. 1591 Oahu BISH 1985-11-04
12 Cinnamomum verum S of road next to Limihuli Stream In an abandoned garden with many exotic introductions. A number of these trees are found in garden area. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-16
13 Cinnamomum verum Koolau Mts, Manoa Valley, Lyon Arboretum, Haukulu Partial sun in highly invaded mesic forest. Associates; Alstonia macrophylla, Psidum cattleyanum, Ilex paraguayensis, Citharexylum caudatum, assorted plantings palms, melaleuca, etc Preserved_Specimen Single stemmed Tree to 6 m, 12 cm dbh, larger trees reaching 20 m and 30 cm dbh. Bark and leaves with strong cinnamon odor. Young growth flushing pink or white. Leaves coriaceous, stems green when young turning brown. Scent in crushed leaves minimal compared to other Cinnamomum verum on grounds of Arboretum K. Arthur 224 Oahu BISH 2025-12-09
14 Cinnamomum verum North Kohala District, Bond Historical Dist. E of Kapaau, Pali Akamoa Gulch Common small tree in thick overstory of secondary forest dominated by Mangifera, Syzygium, Terminalia, Ficus. Preserved_Specimen Allison, A. 9947 Hawaii BISH 1999-09-01
15 Cinnamomum verum Limahuli, Haena gulch with rocky moist soil, full to dappled sun Preserved_Specimen tree of 4-5 m; bark light brown gray with green under; sapwood white-beige; heartwood beige. Diam. 15 cm Earle, E. 6 Kauai BISH 1972-05-20
16 Cinnamomum verum Limahuli, Haena gulch with rocky moist soil, full to dappled sun Preserved_Specimen tree of 4-5 m; bark light brown gray with green under; sapwood white-beige; heartwood beige. Diam. 15 cm Earle, E. 6 Kauai BISH 1972-05-20
17 Cinnamomum verum Koloa, Kalaheo, Yoshimuri farm, off Lauoho Road Preserved_Specimen 15' tree; new leaves deep pink to pale green, especially at base, petioles, veins, older leaves ~glossy medium green, whitish green veins, below glaucous, paler green, with yellowish veins; crushed leaves aromatic; inflorescence branches very pale whitish green, base of tepals slightly darker green; open flowers very pale whitish green Flynn, T.W. 7339 Kauai BISH 2007-05-01
18 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum, Honolulu, Hawaii, lower lawn Preserved_Specimen 30 dbh. Ht: 25 ft. Nagata, K.M. 217 Oahu BISH 1967-06-06
19 Cinnamomum verum Wailua Hwy 580, growing along the road outside of the University of Hawaii Wailua Experiment station fence, across the road across from the Wailua Reservoir Preserved_Specimen Naturalized 20 ft. tall. Lvs dark green above, lighter below, new lvs light green limp. Cinnamon smell to lvs Tangalin, N. 1277 Kauai BISH 2007-05-24
20 Cinnamomum verum Koloa District: upper Kalaheo, John Townsend's fruit orchard at 4875 Kikala Road Preserved_Specimen Tree 7m x 30cm with densely branching crown, new leaves red-tinted, with spicy cinnamon odor when crushed. Flower buds greenish-white. Lorence, D.H. 7965 Kauai BISH 1997-04-16
21 Cinnamomum verum S of road next to Limihuli Stream In an abandoned garden with many exotic introductions. A number of these trees are found in garden area. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-16
22 Cinnamomum verum Pearl City Preserved_Specimen Tree, 35 ft. high, diameter 2 1/2 ft. Ching, D.Y. Oahu BISH 1933-06-28
23 Cinnamomum verum Maui Island, east, haleakala near ulupalakua in 1675 lava flow UNKNOWN . Coordinates do not match to country in source data. http://herbie.zoology.ubc.ca/~botany/herbarium/details.php?db=vwsp.fp7&layout=vwsp_web_details&recid=122970&ass_num=V180675. Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria Vladimir J. Krajina V180675 Maui HAPI 3/17/1962
24 Cinnamomum verum S of road next to Limihuli Stream UNKNOWN . Coordinates do not match to country in source data. Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria Vladimir J. Krajina V180675 Kauai HAPI 3/17/1962
25 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum; behind first cottage Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 48 Oahu BISH 1988-09-30
26 Cinnamomum verum Oahu Island, Manoa Arboretum. Cultivated UNKNOWN Bioversity International C. R. Annable Oahu HAPI 5/20/1997
27 Cinnamomum verum DOE Nursery at Kahala Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1985-05-01
28 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum; behind first cottage Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 47 Oahu BISH 1988-09-30
29 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 46 Oahu BISH 1988-09-30
30 Cinnamomum verum Kawaihau District. Moloaa, at Moloaa Bay Coffee Farm. Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Small tree/shrub, approximately 1.5 meters tall, bark reddish brown near base of tree, green on new growth; leaves bright, light green with yellow veins, some leaves slightly twisted, strong cinnamon fragrance when crushed; flowers immature on erect inflorescences, petals greenish-white; fruit not present. Brock, K. 881 Kauai BISH 2016-08-22
31 Cinnamomum verum Wailuku at old Baldwin home Preserved_Specimen Zschokke, T.C. Maui BISH 1932-03-31
32 Cinnamomum verum Foster Botanical Garden Full sun Preserved_Specimen A spreading tree 6m tall with a dense crown. Tepals cream. Flowers slightly fragrant (noon). Lau, J. 1591 Oahu BISH 1985-11-04
33 Cinnamomum verum Foster Botanical Garden Full sun Preserved_Specimen A spreading tree 6m tall with a dense crown. Tepals cream. Flowers slightly fragrant (noon). Lau, J. 1591 Oahu BISH 1985-11-04
34 Cinnamomum verum S of road next to Limihuli Stream In an abandoned garden with many exotic introductions. A number of these trees are found in garden area. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-16
35 Cinnamomum verum Koolau Mts, Manoa Valley, Lyon Arboretum, Haukulu Partial sun in highly invaded mesic forest. Associates; Alstonia macrophylla, Psidum cattleyanum, Ilex paraguayensis, Citharexylum caudatum, assorted plantings palms, melaleuca, etc Preserved_Specimen Single stemmed Tree to 6 m, 12 cm dbh, larger trees reaching 20 m and 30 cm dbh. Bark and leaves with strong cinnamon odor. Young growth flushing pink or white. Leaves coriaceous, stems green when young turning brown. Scent in crushed leaves minimal compared to other Cinnamomum verum on grounds of Arboretum K. Arthur 224 Oahu BISH 2025-12-09
36 Cinnamomum verum North Kohala District, Bond Historical Dist. E of Kapaau, Pali Akamoa Gulch Common small tree in thick overstory of secondary forest dominated by Mangifera, Syzygium, Terminalia, Ficus. Preserved_Specimen Allison, A. 9947 Hawaii BISH 1999-09-01
37 Cinnamomum verum Limahuli, Haena gulch with rocky moist soil, full to dappled sun Preserved_Specimen tree of 4-5 m; bark light brown gray with green under; sapwood white-beige; heartwood beige. Diam. 15 cm Earle, E. 6 Kauai BISH 1972-05-20
38 Cinnamomum verum Limahuli, Haena gulch with rocky moist soil, full to dappled sun Preserved_Specimen tree of 4-5 m; bark light brown gray with green under; sapwood white-beige; heartwood beige. Diam. 15 cm Earle, E. 6 Kauai BISH 1972-05-20
39 Cinnamomum verum Koloa, Kalaheo, Yoshimuri farm, off Lauoho Road Preserved_Specimen 15' tree; new leaves deep pink to pale green, especially at base, petioles, veins, older leaves ~glossy medium green, whitish green veins, below glaucous, paler green, with yellowish veins; crushed leaves aromatic; inflorescence branches very pale whitish green, base of tepals slightly darker green; open flowers very pale whitish green Flynn, T.W. 7339 Kauai BISH 2007-05-01
40 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum, Honolulu, Hawaii, lower lawn Preserved_Specimen 30 dbh. Ht: 25 ft. Nagata, K.M. 217 Oahu BISH 1967-06-06
41 Cinnamomum verum Wailua Hwy 580, growing along the road outside of the University of Hawaii Wailua Experiment station fence, across the road across from the Wailua Reservoir Preserved_Specimen Naturalized 20 ft. tall. Lvs dark green above, lighter below, new lvs light green limp. Cinnamon smell to lvs Tangalin, N. 1277 Kauai BISH 2007-05-24
42 Cinnamomum verum Koloa District: upper Kalaheo, John Townsend's fruit orchard at 4875 Kikala Road Preserved_Specimen Tree 7m x 30cm with densely branching crown, new leaves red-tinted, with spicy cinnamon odor when crushed. Flower buds greenish-white. Lorence, D.H. 7965 Kauai BISH 1997-04-16
43 Cinnamomum verum S of road next to Limihuli Stream In an abandoned garden with many exotic introductions. A number of these trees are found in garden area. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-16
44 Cinnamomum verum Pearl City Preserved_Specimen Tree, 35 ft. high, diameter 2 1/2 ft. Ching, D.Y. Oahu BISH 1933-06-28
45 Cinnamomum verum Maui Island, east, haleakala near ulupalakua in 1675 lava flow UNKNOWN . Coordinates do not match to country in source data. http://herbie.zoology.ubc.ca/~botany/herbarium/details.php?db=vwsp.fp7&layout=vwsp_web_details&recid=122970&ass_num=V180675. Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria Vladimir J. Krajina V180675 Maui HAPI 3/17/1962
46 Cinnamomum verum S of road next to Limihuli Stream UNKNOWN . Coordinates do not match to country in source data. Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria Vladimir J. Krajina V180675 Kauai HAPI 3/17/1962
47 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum; behind first cottage Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 48 Oahu BISH 1988-09-30
48 Cinnamomum verum Oahu Island, Manoa Arboretum. Cultivated UNKNOWN Bioversity International C. R. Annable Oahu HAPI 5/20/1997
49 Cinnamomum verum DOE Nursery at Kahala Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1985-05-01
50 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum; behind first cottage Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 47 Oahu BISH 1988-09-30
51 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 46 Oahu BISH 1988-09-30
52 Cinnamomum verum Kawaihau District. Moloaa, at Moloaa Bay Coffee Farm. Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Small tree/shrub, approximately 1.5 meters tall, bark reddish brown near base of tree, green on new growth; leaves bright, light green with yellow veins, some leaves slightly twisted, strong cinnamon fragrance when crushed; flowers immature on erect inflorescences, petals greenish-white; fruit not present. Brock, K. 881 Kauai BISH 2016-08-22
53 Cinnamomum verum Wailuku at old Baldwin home Preserved_Specimen Zschokke, T.C. Maui BISH 1932-03-31
54 Cinnamomum verum Foster Botanical Garden Full sun Preserved_Specimen A spreading tree 6m tall with a dense crown. Tepals cream. Flowers slightly fragrant (noon). Lau, J. 1591 Oahu BISH 1985-11-04
55 Cinnamomum verum Foster Botanical Garden Full sun Preserved_Specimen A spreading tree 6m tall with a dense crown. Tepals cream. Flowers slightly fragrant (noon). Lau, J. 1591 Oahu BISH 1985-11-04
56 Cinnamomum verum S of road next to Limihuli Stream In an abandoned garden with many exotic introductions. A number of these trees are found in garden area. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-16
57 Cinnamomum verum Koolau Mts, Manoa Valley, Lyon Arboretum, Haukulu Partial sun in highly invaded mesic forest. Associates; Alstonia macrophylla, Psidum cattleyanum, Ilex paraguayensis, Citharexylum caudatum, assorted plantings palms, melaleuca, etc Preserved_Specimen Single stemmed Tree to 6 m, 12 cm dbh, larger trees reaching 20 m and 30 cm dbh. Bark and leaves with strong cinnamon odor. Young growth flushing pink or white. Leaves coriaceous, stems green when young turning brown. Scent in crushed leaves minimal compared to other Cinnamomum verum on grounds of Arboretum K. Arthur 224 Oahu BISH 2025-12-09
58 Cinnamomum verum North Kohala District, Bond Historical Dist. E of Kapaau, Pali Akamoa Gulch Common small tree in thick overstory of secondary forest dominated by Mangifera, Syzygium, Terminalia, Ficus. Preserved_Specimen Allison, A. 9947 Hawaii BISH 1999-09-01
59 Cinnamomum verum Limahuli, Haena gulch with rocky moist soil, full to dappled sun Preserved_Specimen tree of 4-5 m; bark light brown gray with green under; sapwood white-beige; heartwood beige. Diam. 15 cm Earle, E. 6 Kauai BISH 1972-05-20
60 Cinnamomum verum Limahuli, Haena gulch with rocky moist soil, full to dappled sun Preserved_Specimen tree of 4-5 m; bark light brown gray with green under; sapwood white-beige; heartwood beige. Diam. 15 cm Earle, E. 6 Kauai BISH 1972-05-20
61 Cinnamomum verum Koloa, Kalaheo, Yoshimuri farm, off Lauoho Road Preserved_Specimen 15' tree; new leaves deep pink to pale green, especially at base, petioles, veins, older leaves ~glossy medium green, whitish green veins, below glaucous, paler green, with yellowish veins; crushed leaves aromatic; inflorescence branches very pale whitish green, base of tepals slightly darker green; open flowers very pale whitish green Flynn, T.W. 7339 Kauai BISH 2007-05-01
62 Cinnamomum verum Lyon Arboretum, Honolulu, Hawaii, lower lawn Preserved_Specimen 30 dbh. Ht: 25 ft. Nagata, K.M. 217 Oahu BISH 1967-06-06
63 Cinnamomum verum Wailua Hwy 580, growing along the road outside of the University of Hawaii Wailua Experiment station fence, across the road across from the Wailua Reservoir Preserved_Specimen Naturalized 20 ft. tall. Lvs dark green above, lighter below, new lvs light green limp. Cinnamon smell to lvs Tangalin, N. 1277 Kauai BISH 2007-05-24
64 Cinnamomum verum Koloa District: upper Kalaheo, John Townsend's fruit orchard at 4875 Kikala Road Preserved_Specimen Tree 7m x 30cm with densely branching crown, new leaves red-tinted, with spicy cinnamon odor when crushed. Flower buds greenish-white. Lorence, D.H. 7965 Kauai BISH 1997-04-16
65 Cinnamomum verum S of road next to Limihuli Stream In an abandoned garden with many exotic introductions. A number of these trees are found in garden area. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-16
66 Cinnamomum verum Pearl City Preserved_Specimen Tree, 35 ft. high, diameter 2 1/2 ft. Ching, D.Y. Oahu BISH 1933-06-28
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