What is "cinnamomum cassia"

Cassia \Cas"sia\ (k[a^]sh"[.a]), n. [L. cassia and casia, Gr. kassi`a and kasi`a; of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. qets[=i][=a]h, fr. q[=a]tsa' to cut off, to peel off.]

1. (Bot.) A genus of leguminous plants (herbs, shrubs, or trees) of many species, most of which have purgative qualities. The leaves of several species furnish the senna used in medicine.

2. The bark of several species of Cinnamomum grown in China, etc.; Chinese cinnamon. It is imported as cassia, but commonly sold as cinnamon, from which it differs more or less in strength and flavor, and the amount of outer bark attached.

   Note: The medicinal ``cassia'' (Cassia pulp) is the laxative pulp of the pods of a leguminous tree ( Cassia fistula or Pudding-pipe tree), native in the East Indies but naturalized in various tropical countries.

   Cassia bark, the bark of Cinnamomum cassia, etc. The coarser kinds are called Cassia lignea, and are often used to adulterate true cinnamon.

   Cassia buds, the dried flower buds of several species of cinnamon ( Cinnamomum cassia, atc..).

   Cassia oil, oil extracted from cassia bark and cassia buds; -- called also oil of cinnamon.

Cinnamomum cassia, called Chinese cassia or Chinese cinnamon, is an evergreen tree originating in southern China, and widely cultivated there and elsewhere in southern and eastern Asia (India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam). It is one of several species of Cinnamomum used primarily for their aromatic bark, which is used as a spice. In the United States, Chinese cassia is the most common type of cinnamon used. The buds are also used as a spice, especially in India, and were once used by the ancient Romans.

The tree grows to 10–15 m tall, with greyish bark and hard, elongated leaves that are 10–15 cm long and have a decidedly reddish colour when young.