Common Names: cinnamon, cinnamon bark, Ceylon cinnamon, cassia cinnamon Scientific Names: Cinnamomum verum (also called Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Laurus cinnamomum), Cinnamomum aromaticum (also known as Cinnamomum cassia) Background • Cinnamon is a popular spice obtained from the dried bark of certain Cinnamomum trees. The species Cinnamomum verum, often referred to as “true” cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon, primarily grows in Sri Lanka. Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum) is more commonly