camphortree: Cinnamomum camphora (Laurales: Lauraceae)

camphortree
Laurales > Lauraceae > Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl
Synonym(s): camphor laurel, camphor tree
Camphor tree is a broad-leaved, evergreen tree that grows 50-100 ft. (15-30 m) tall. The alternate leaves are shiny, dark green above and lighter green below, have wavy margins, three distinct, yellow veins and are 1.5-4 in. (3.7-10.1 cm) long. A distinctive odor of camphor is emitted when the leaves are crushed. Small white to cream colored flowers develop in the spring. Fruit is a black, pea-sized berry. Camphor tree grows in full sun or partial shade, and it is drought tolerant but not particularly cold tolerant. It invades hardwood forests, upland pine and scrub woods, fence rows and urban green spaces. It is native to eastern Asia and was brought to the United States as an ornamental in 1875.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas - University of Florida - IFAS

Invasive Plants of Asian Origin Established in the United States and Their Natural Enemies - Volume 1 - USDA Forest Service

Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station

Prescriptions for Specific Nonnative Invasive Plants - USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Foliage; leaves Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Foliage; James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Foliage; Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Tree(s); Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Foliage; leaves Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Tree(s); Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Stem(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Stem(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Stem(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Bark; James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Tree(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Tree(s); Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024

Invasive Reference(s):

Check Invasive.org for most current lists.

Alabama - IPC List
Florida - EPPC list
Georgia - EPPC list
Texas - Invasive Plant List
Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species

External Links


				Bargeron, C.T., C.R. Minteer, C.W. Evans, D.J. Moorhead, G.K. Douce and R.C. Reardon. Technical Coordinators. 2008. Invasive Plants of the United States DVD-ROM: Identification, Biology and Control. USDA Forest Service. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. Morgantown, WV. FHTET-08-11.