wild cinnamon tree - common roadside tree

i often wondered if cinnamon, the spice, comes from this common roadside tree. we all should learn how to identify this tree as it is one of the most common trees found growing in singapore. the other common cultivated trees include the rain tree, the angsana, the macarthur's palm, the khaya senegalensis and the jambu ayer laut.

the scientific name for it is cinnamomum iners. the malay name for it is kayu manis hutan. the malay name implies that the bark or wood from the tree is sweet or fragrant. found out that it is the cousin of the ceylon cinnamon (cinnamomum zeylanicum). the famous spice comes from the ceylon cinnamon.

the wild cinnamon tree is easily distinguishable from other trees as the young leaves are reddish-pink and tender. the mature leaves are dark green. because it is a very leafy tree, it is a good choice for a shade tree.

the oil extracted from the leaves of the wild cinnamon is used for a variety of purposes, one of which is aromatherapy. the roots have been traditionally used for the treatment of rheumatism and fever.