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The camphor tree is a dense broadleaved evergreen that is capable of growing 50-150 ft (15.2-45.7 m) tall and spreading twice that wide with a trunk up to 15 ft (4.6 m) in diameter, though the largest U.S. specimens are only half that size and those in the Caribbean are even smaller. The shiny foliage is made up of alternate 1-4 in (2.5-10.2 cm) oval leaves dangling from long petioles. Each leaf has three distinct yellowish veins. The outer margins of the leaves tend to be somewhat wavy and turn upward. The new foliage starts out a rusty burgundy color, but the leaves soon turn dark green on the upper sides and paler green underneath. New branches emerging from the shallowly fissured grayish brown trunk are smooth and green. Twigs are usually green, but may be tinged with red when young. The inconspicuous tiny cream colored flowers are borne in the spring on branching 3 in (7.6 cm) flower stalks. They are followed by large crops of fruit, comprised of round pea sized berries attached to the branchlets by cuplike little green cones. The berries first turn reddish, then ripen to black. Camphor tree can be readily identified by the distinctive odor of a crushed leaf.
Cinnamomum camphora, the camphor tree, comes from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and adjacent parts of East Asia, where it grows in mesic forests and on well-drained sites along streambanks. Camphor has become widely naturalized in Australia. In the United States, it is grown along the Gulf Coast and in California, and has escaped cultivation and become naturalized in many areas.
Culture
Usage
This is a sturdy storm resistant tree which makes a good windbreak. Since it is hard to burn, it should also be valuable as a shade tree in areas that are prone to wildfires. Unfortunately, these desirable traits are offset by the tree's invasiveness and damaging effects on wildlife and natural communities. This fine tree should be grown and appreciated in its native range, but not planted in other regions where species and ecosystems have not adapted to its aggressiveness and toxicity. Camphor tree should not be grown in the United States.
Linda Conway Duever 10/31/00; updated 6/15/04, 4/22/05
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