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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.

Physical Characteristics

Cinnamomum is an evergreen Tree growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Diptera.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Camphora officinarum. Laurus camphora.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young shoots and leaves - cooked[105, 177]. Some caution is suggested because there is a report that the plant is poisonous in large quantities. The old leaves are dried and used as a spice[105, 177].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Camphor has a long history of herbal use in the Orient with a wide range of uses. It has occasionally been used internally in the treatment of hysteria, but in modern day herbalism it is mainly used as the essential oil and internal use is not advised[254]. The wood and leaves are analgesic, antispasmodic, odontalgic, rubefacient, stimulant. An infusion is used as an inhalant in the treatment of colds and diseases of the lungs[46, 57, 176, 178, 238]. The plant is more commonly used in the form of the essential oil which can be obtained by distillation of the chipped branches, trunk and wood of the tree, or from the leaves and twigs. Wood 24 - 40 years old is normally used[268]. The essential oil is anthelmintic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, carminative, diaphoretic, sedative and tonic[4, 218, 238, 240]. It is used externally in liniments for treating joint and muscle pains, balms for chilblains, chapped lips, cold sores, skin diseases etc and as an inhalant for bronchial congestion[238]. Some caution is advised, excessive use causes vomiting, palpitations, convulsions and death[238]. It is possible that the oil can be absorbed through the skin, causing systemic poisoning[238]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Piercing'[210]. It is used in the treatment of digestive complaints and depression[238]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Cinnamomum camphora for Arrhythmia, Cough/bronchitis, Hypotension, Nervous heart complaints, Rheumatism.

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The essential oil 'camphor' is obtained from the leaves and twigs[1, 4, 46, 57, 61]. It is extracted commercially by passing a current of steam through the wood chips, 30 kilos of wood yielding 1 kilo of camphor[149]. Camphor is used medicinally, in perfumes, as an insecticide and also to make celluloid and as a wood preservative[171]. It can also be put in shoes to cure perspiring feet[178] (probably by acting as a deodorant rather than preventing perspiration[K]). The wood has been burnt as a fumigant during epidemics[245]. Wood - beautifully grained, light brownish, takes a good polish[266]. It is used for making furniture, cabinets, the interior finish of buildings etc[4, 46, 266].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Pest tolerant, Aggressive surface roots possible, Street tree. Succeeds in most soils[57] but prefers a fertile sandy moisture-retentive well-drained soil in full sun or light part-day shade[200]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 8. Camphor is grown commercially in China and Japan as a medicinal tree and also for its essential oil[46]. It is only hardy in the milder areas of Britain[11, 166], though it can survive occasional lows down to about -10°c when fully dormant[57]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. There are various large trees that are growing well in Cornwall[59]. A very slow growing tree[4]. The roots are very sensitive to disturbance[164]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[200]. Special Features: Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Attracts butterflies, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - the seed has a short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[200]. Remove the fruit pulp since this can inhibit germination[200]. Germination can take 1 - 6 months at 20°c[164]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in a warm greenhouse[78]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first two winters outdoors. Cuttings of semi-ripe side shoots, 7cm with a heel, June/July in a frame with bottom heat[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

commonly known as camphor tree, camphorwood or camphor laurel, Ai-kanfor, Camphor, Ho wood, Kapoor, Kapur, Karppuram, Karpur, Karpurammu, Kuqmiqsail, Mushkapur, Noknamu, Pohon kapur barus, Zhang, Zhangshu.

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America, China, Cuba, East Africa, East Timor, Europe, Fiji, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, USA, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

This plant can be weedy or invasive. A noxious weed throughout Queensland and central to northern New South Wales, Australia where it is suited to the wet, subtropical climate. It is invasive in Florida and Hawaii in the US.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Cinnamomum camphora	Camphor, Camphortree	Tree	6.0	9-11	S	LMH	SN	M	2	3	4
Cinnamomum loureiroi	Saigon Cinnamon	Tree	18.0	10-12	M	LMH	SN	M	4	3	2
Cinnamomum verum	Cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon Tree	Tree	10.0	10-12	S	LMH	SN	M	4	3	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Cinnamomum - (L.)J.Presl.