Cinnamomum camphora - Camphor tree
Family Lauraceae
Description:
About 250 species of Cinnamomum are native to Asia and Australia. They are shrubs and trees, many with aromatic barks. Some are used for timber. Commercial cassia bark and cinnamon come from Cinnamomum species. Camphor tree is native to Asia. Camphor was derived from the bark of this tree but camphor in modern linaments is mostly synthetic. The tree has been cultivated in the Deep South of the United States as a shade tree. The small flowers are followed by abundant, small fruits that are distributed widely by birds.
Size:
Large tree to over one hundred feet tall.
Care Instructions:
This tree is listed by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council as an exotic pest plant in north Florida. It should not be planted in north Florida. At the University of North Florida, staff is working to remove this plant from the woodlands.