Cinnamomum verum (bark)

Introduction

Introduction from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamomum_verum, retrieved 02/23/2012).

Cinnamomum verum, called "true cinnamon", Ceylon cinnamon or Sri Lanka cinnamon is a small evergreen tree belonging to the family Lauraceae, native to Sri Lanka. Among other species, its inner bark is used to make cinnamon.

The old botanical synonym for the tree—Cinnamomum zeylanicum—is derived from Sri Lanka's former name, Ceylon.

Cinnamomum verum trees are 10–15 metres (32.8–49.2 feet) tall. The leaves are ovate-oblong in shape, 7–18 cm (2.75–7.1 inches) long. The flowers, which are arranged in panicles, have a greenish color, and have a distinct odor. The fruit is a purple 1-cm berry containing a single seed.

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Microscopic Entries

Ceylon Cinnamon (powdered bark) (Cinnamomum verum) B., Lauraceae. (Cinnamomum Zylanicum)Histology much like that of Cassia Cinnamon; bast cells are more abundant and the cells of the outer cork wanting; starch less abundant. It is possible to distinguish this cinnamon from the other two by the larger sclerenchyma cells and absence of outer cork and epidermal tissues. Source: Schneider, A. (1921) The Microanalysis of Powdered Vegetable Drugs, 2nd ed.

Cinnamomum verum (bark)The most distinctive tissue elements are the thick walled fiber as well as the large resin cells showing dark red contents.400X Acidified chloral Hydrate Soln. Source: Elan M. Sudberg Alkemists Labs. and Japanese Official Monographs part II; British Pharmacopoeia, 2003