Forest & Kim Starr, USGS

Family: Lauraceae (Laurel Family)

Synonym(s): Camphora camphora, Laurus camphora

Duration: Perennial

Habit: Tree

Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0

Description: The camphor tree is a broadleaved evergreen growing to heights of 15 - 30 m achieving a canopy that is twice as wide as its height. According to FFI (2003), the leaves of C. camphora are 5-8 cm long, 1.5-5 cm wide, oval-shaped, and taper into an acute apex. Leaf bases are wedge-shaped or rounded and the leaf surfaces are bright green and lustrous above, duller and slightly greyish-green below. The fruit ripens in autumn and turns black when ripe, and are about 2 cm in diameter, held by a leathery floral, funnel-like tube that occurs in clusters at the end of a stalk.The leaves of the camphor tree give off a strong odor when crushed making it easy to identify.

History: Cinnamomum camphora is native to Japan, China, Taiwan and northern Vietnam. It has become widely naturalized in Australia. In the United States, it grows along the Gulf Coast and in California.

Biology & Spread: C. camphora seeds are easily spread by birds from cultivated yards to open forests, and it is also spread to new locations through plant nursery sales.

Ecological Threat: C. camphora grows like a weed, infesting forests and displacing native trees. Also, its fruits, leaves, and roots are toxic to humans in large doses. They contain chemicals that stimulate the central nervous system and may affect respiration or cause convulsions. In Chinese medicine, camphor is forbidden for pregnant women and those with a deficiency of vital energy or yin.

US Habitat: LCD (2000) indicates that it prefers fertile, sandy soil. It will tolerate a pH anywhere in the range of 4.3 to 8, and will grow in full sun or partial shade. However, it does not do well in wet soils. Established trees are tolerant of drought. Occurs primarily in drier disturbed areas such as roadsides and fencerows, but has invaded natural areas such as mesic hammocks, upland pine woods, and scrubland.

Distribution

US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Native to Japan, China, Taiwan and northern Vietnam.

US States: AL, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NC, PR, SC, TX, VI

Resembles/Alternatives: Cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is a related species, but it has larger leaves. This species is very similar to C. camphora in overall size and may be used in similar landscaping situations.

Management: Physical: According to Starr et al. (2003), small seedlings of C. camphora can be hand pulled or grubbed out. It is important that the roots are removed otherwise the tree could regrow.

Chemical: Foliar spray with herbicides on young C. camphora trees up to 3 m tall is also effective. Basal bark or cut stump herbicide treatments are effective for trees up to 6 m , or with a basal stem diameter up to 30 cm with no multi stems. For basal bark, spray from ground level up to a height of 30 cm or higher than where multi stems branch.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Listing Source

Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station

Text References

Miller, J.H. 2003. Nonnative invasive plants of southern forests: a field guide for identification and control. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-62. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 93 pp

Daehler, C.C; Denslow, J.S; Ansari, S and Huang-Chi, K., 2004. A Risk-Assessment System for Screening Out Invasive Pest Plants from Hawaii and Other Pacific Islands. Conservation Biology Volume 18 Issue 2 Page 360.

DEH (Department of the Environment and Heritage) Australia., 2005. Threatened Species and Threatened Ecological Communities. Cinnamomum camphora, Camphor Laurel most toxic chemotypes.

PIER (Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk), 2002. Cinnamomum camphora. Available from: http://www.hear.org/pier/species/cinnamomum_camphora.htm [Accessed 5 February 2003].

LCD. 2000.Cinnamomum camphora Floridata. Available from: http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/cinn_cam.cfm [Accessed 25 July 2003].

Murray, A., Ramey, V. 2003.Camphor Tree. University of Florida, IFAS, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Available from: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/camphor.html

Data Source

Miller, J.H. 2003. Nonnative invasive plants of southern forests: a field guide for identification and control. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-62. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 93 pp (USDA SRS).

Global Invasive Species Database (http://www.issg.org/database)

Last Updated: 2004-05-30 by ARMO, TISI