(n): a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
(n): some genus Cassia species often classified as members of the genus Senna or genus Chamaecrista
(n): a genus of dicotyledonous plants
(n): Chinese tree with aromatic bark; yields a less desirable cinnamon than Ceylon cinnamon
(n): any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family
how interesting!
Not to be confused (as I just did) with cassis, which is French for blackcurrant.
Wikipedia sez:
"Most of the spice sold as cinnamon in the United States and Canada (where true cinnamon is still generally unknown) is actually cassia. In some cases, cassia is labeled "Chinese cinnamon" to distinguish it from the more expensive true cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), which is the preferred form of the spice used in Mexico and Europe. "Indonesian cinnamon" can also refer to Cinnamomum burmannii, which is also commonly sold in the United States, labeled only as cinnamon."
So, that makes cassia the Poor Man's Cinnamon. Cinnamon's Red-Headed Stepchild.
*wants to taste REAL cinnamon*