18 MISC. PUB. 882, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
Pulling or digging the plants by hand is recommended where only a 
few plants are involved. Chemical control is more practical for 
sparse stands covering large areas. Control measures practiced be- 
fore the plants mature seeds are most effective. Denying livestock 
access to the plants lessens the chances of poisoning. 
Canellaceae, or Canella, Family 
Canella alba Murray (fig. 8) 
Wild Cinnamon, Caneel 
Descrirtion.—This thornless, evergreen tree is usually 30 to 50 
feet high, with a trunk up to 114 feet thick. The leaves are borne 
alternately or in irregular whorls near the tips of the branches. They 
are dark green and somewhat shining above but rather dull beneath. 
The leaves, which are about 4 inches long and 1 inch wide, are nar- 
rowed at the base and bluntly rounded at the tips. The veins in the 
leaf blades are inconspicuous and the leaf margins are entire and 
smooth. The bark and leaves of this tree have a pleasant aroma. 
The small, dull-red or purple flowers are borne singly or in small 
groups at the tips of the branches. They are pretty but not large 
enough to be showy. Each flower, when in the bud stage, is sur- 
rounded almost completely by a oreen outer covering that exposes 
only the tips of the petals. The round berries, about 1, inch in diam- 
eter, are green when young, but turn red to nearly black at maturity. 
The small seeds are black. The trees blossom during the summer 
and early fall and reproduce by seeds. 
DistripuTIoNn AND Harrrat.—Wild cinnamon is found on all of the 
Virgin Islands. It occurs mostly in the drier areas in open pastures, 
in thickets, and in woods. It is commonly found around house sites 
and in villages, where it was undoubtedly planted. Wild cinnamon 
usually occurs as individual trees, though sparse stands near beaches 
are not rare.~ It is found on a variety of soil types and in different 
rainfall belts. 
Toxiciry AND Symproms.—The bark of wild cinnamon contains 
the alkaloid canela (29). In the past the powdered bark was used. 
in very small doses, as a stimulant and as a tonic for stomach upsets, 
but it is now seldom used in medicine (75, 48). Wald cinnamon leaves 
have a pleasant aroma and are used by some Virgin Islanders as a 
spice. Feeding trials show the leaves and stems are toxic to poultry. 
There is no report of livestock poisoning from wild cinnamon in the 
Virgin Islands. 
MawnaceMENt AND ContRor.—Wild cinnamon is so scarce through- 
out the Virgin Islands that it does not constitute a serious danger to 
livestock ; however, it is poisonous and is, therefore, a potential danger. 
The plants are known to be susceptible to commercial selective her- 
bicides, 
Leguminosae, or Legume, Family 
Cassia occidentalis L. (fig. 9) 
Wild Coffee, Stinkingweed 
Description.—Under unfavorable conditions this malodorous 
shrub acts as an annual, though it is generally a short-lived perennial. 
It is erect and branching, 2 to 4 feet high, usually smooth throughout, 
