1 / 9

Camphora officinarum

camphor

Lauraceae East Asia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (strong)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Camphora officinarum, long known as Cinnamomum camphora, is a large evergreen tree reaching 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall with a broad, dense, rounded crown and a short, stout trunk. The alternate leaves are 2-4 in (5-10 cm) long, oval, glossy dark green above and paler beneath, with three main veins; crushed foliage releases a strong camphor scent. Small clusters of pale yellow-green flowers about 2-3 mm across appear in spring, followed by round black drupes 0.3-0.4 in (8-10 mm) wide, each holding one seed. All parts contain aromatic oils, and the wood and leaves are a commercial source of camphor. The tree casts dense shade and has a wide, shallow root system that can lift paving and compete with nearby plants. It produces abundant fruit that is spread by birds, and it has naturalised aggressively in Australia, the southeastern United States, and other warm regions, where it is listed as an environmental weed. Growth is rapid in deep, moist soils, and mature trees are long-lived.

Native Range

Native to East Asia, including southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, where it grows in lowland evergreen forests. It has naturalised widely in Australia, the southeastern United States, southern Europe, and Africa.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a large shade and street tree in frost-free climates, and historically cultivated for camphor and timber. Its mature size and invasive tendency limit its use to large open spaces at a distance from buildings and pavement.

How to Identify

Identified by glossy, alternate oval leaves with three prominent veins from near the base and a strong camphor smell when crushed. New foliage emerges reddish before turning dark green. The small black single-seeded drupes and pale, waxy bark separate it from true cinnamons and bays.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height65' - 100'

Width/Spread40' - 60'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Small pale yellow-green flowers appear in spring, around April to May, in branched clusters among the new leaves. The flowers are inconspicuous and last a few weeks. Round black fruits ripen from late summer into autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20-30 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Camphora officinarum grows in full sun to part shade on a wide range of deep, moist, well-drained soils, and tolerates brief flooding and mild salinity once established. It is frost-sensitive when young but withstands light frost with age, and is hardy outdoors in USDA zones 9 to 11. The tree is drought-tolerant after establishment, owing to a deep and spreading root system. Its vigorous roots and dense canopy crowd out nearby plantings, and fallen leaves can suppress understorey growth. Where it is naturalised, self-sown seedlings appear readily and need ongoing removal to limit spread.

Pruning

Pruning is carried out in late winter to early spring to remove dead or crossing limbs and to raise the canopy. The tree tolerates hard pruning and resprouts strongly from cut stumps and trunks. Removal of root suckers and self-sown seedlings is often needed where the species naturalises.