Cinnamomum camphora: Uses (Ethnobotany)
It is used for oils and timber in Asia.
Plant Profile: Cinnamomum camphora
Taxonomy: Cinnamomum camphoraNames
Camphortree, Camphor Tree
Phonetic Spelling:sin-uh-MOH-mum kamp-FOR-uh
Genus:Cinnamomum
Species:camphora
Family:Lauraceae
The Camphor Tree, a small evergreen species indigenous to Japan and Taiwan, thrives in urban environments, making it a suitable choice for street planting. However, it has demonstrated a tendency to become invasive, particularly in Florida, where it can outcompete local flora due to its prolific seed production and ability to self-seed. Identifying this tree is straightforward; simply crushing its leaves or twigs releases a distinctive camphor scent.
Regarding pests and diseases, this tree is vulnerable to laurel wilt.
Cinnamomum camphora Feature Summary
Cinnamomum camphora Image Gallery
Tags
#evergreen
#small tree
#weedy
#fragrant leaves
#street tree
#fast growing
#fragrant stems
#disturbed areas
#evergreen tree
#urban conditions tolerant
Similar Plants
Cinnamomum camphora Feature Summary
Attributes
It is used for oils and timber in Asia.
Woody
Fruit
Flowers
Green-white to pale yellow fragrant flowers on 3" long panicles
White
Green
Panicle
Fragrant
< 1 inch
Leaves
Shiny, dark green entire margins but they can be wavy
Broadleaf Evergreen
Green
Simple
Alternate
Elliptical
Ovate
Entire
Glossy
Fragrant
Bark
Scaly to furrowed with flat-topped ridges
Scaly
Ridges
Furrowed
Stem
New twigs are green turning red-brown. Buds are pointed 1/2" long.
Brown/Copper
Green
Red/Burgundy
Whole Plant Traits
Tree
Broadleaf Evergreen
Rapid
High
Cultural Conditions
Occasionally Dry
Cinnamomum camphora Image Gallery
Cinnamomum camphora Attributes
Cinnamomum camphora: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Cinnamomum camphora Fruit
Cinnamomum camphora: Fruit Description
Dark blue to black 1/2" in diameter
Cinnamomum camphora: Fruit Color
Black
Blue
Cinnamomum camphora: Fruit Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Cinnamomum camphora Flowers
Cinnamomum camphora: Flower Description
Green-white to pale yellow fragrant flowers on 3" long panicles
Cinnamomum camphora: Flower Color
Green
White
Cinnamomum camphora: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Cinnamomum camphora: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Cinnamomum camphora: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Cinnamomum camphora Leaves
Cinnamomum camphora: Leaf Description
Shiny, dark green entire margins but they can be wavy
Cinnamomum camphora: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Cinnamomum camphora: Leaf Color
Green
Cinnamomum camphora: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Cinnamomum camphora: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Cinnamomum camphora: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Cinnamomum camphora: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Cinnamomum camphora: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Cinnamomum camphora: Leaf Feel
Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy
Cinnamomum camphora: Leaf Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy
Cinnamomum camphora Bark
Cinnamomum camphora: Bark Description
Scaly to furrowed with flat-topped ridges
Cinnamomum camphora: Surface/Attachment
Bumpy
Exfoliating
Fissured
Furrowed
Lenticels
Papery
Patchy
Peeling
Ridges
Scaly
Shaggy
Shiny
Shredding
Smooth
Spongy
Cinnamomum camphora Stem
Cinnamomum camphora: Stem Description
New twigs are green turning red-brown. Buds are pointed 1/2" long.
Cinnamomum camphora: Stem Color
Brown/Copper
Green
Red/Burgundy
Cinnamomum camphora: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Cinnamomum camphora Whole Plant Traits
Cinnamomum camphora: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Cinnamomum camphora: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Cinnamomum camphora: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Cinnamomum camphora: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Cinnamomum camphora Cultural Conditions
Cinnamomum camphora: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
