Ceylon cinnamon tree

7.1

A tropical tree from Sri Lanka with thin, fragrant bark used as true cinnamon

noun

Specialized

: árbol de canela de Ceilán

The Ceylon cinnamon tree is prized for its delicate and sweetly fragrant bark.

Examples

Unlike the cassia variety, the bark of the Ceylon cinnamon tree is thinner and more flavorful.
Farmers in Sri Lanka often cultivate the Ceylon cinnamon tree for the international spice market.
The Ceylon cinnamon tree is native to Sri Lanka.
Did you know that the Ceylon cinnamon tree can grow up to 15 meters?
Farmers in Sri Lanka often cultivate the Ceylon cinnamon tree for the international spice market.
The Ceylon cinnamon tree is prized for its delicate and sweetly fragrant bark.
Unlike the cassia variety, the bark of the Ceylon cinnamon tree is thinner and more flavorful.

Synonyms

cinnamon

vsCeylon cinnamon tree

6 1.0

A tropical tree with aromatic yellow-brown bark that people use to make a spice

is the narrower single species grown for that spice

Ceylon cinnamon

vsCeylon cinnamon tree

4.9

A tropical tree with thin, fragrant brown bark that people use as a spice in baking

is the common regional name for the same spice-producing tree

Cinnamomum zeylanicum

vsCeylon cinnamon tree

Specialized

9.9

A tropical Asian evergreen tree with sweet-smelling bark used to make cinnamon

is the common term used for that same species

spice tree

vsCeylon cinnamon tree

5.1

A tree that makes bark or berries used to flavor food

is the specific species famous as the source of that spice

Surface Forms

Ceylon cinnamon tree singular

Ceylon cinnamon trees plural

Morphology

Ceylon + cinnamon + tree

The phrase is a straightforward composition: the place-name 'Ceylon' + the noun 'cinnamon' + 'tree' clearly denotes a cinnamon-producing tree from Ceylon (Sri Lanka). This place+type noun pattern is cross-linguistically common and the botanical specificity does not prevent a learner who knows the constituents from inferring the meaning.

Etymology

Ceylon cinnamon tree: The name Ceylon cinnamon tree comes from the old name Ceylon for Sri Lanka, where this tree grows. People there peel the thin, spicy bark and roll it into sticks called 'true cinnamon', so the name tells you both the place and the real source of the spice.