Introduction:
Camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora)
Cinnamomum camphora is native to Japan, China, Taiwan and northern Vietnam. C. camphora has become widely naturalised in Australia. In the United States, it grows along the Gulf Coast and in California. 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. C. camphora fruits, leaves, and roots are toxic to humans in large doses.
Description:
The camphor tree is a broadleaved evergreen growing to heights of 15 - 30m achieving a canopy that is twice as wide as its height. The leaves of C. Camphora are 5-8cm long, 1.5-5cm 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 of C. Camphora is a black drupe, about 2cm 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 odour when crushed making it easy to identify.
Occurs in:
Natural forests, ruderal/disturbed, scrub/shrublands, urban areas.
Habitat description:
Camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) Distribution in North America shown in green.
C. camphora 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, C. camphora 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.
General impacts:
C. camphora grows like a weed, infesting forests and displacing native trees. C. camphora 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.
Geographical range:
Native range: C. camphora is native to Japan, China, Taiwan and northern Vietnam.
Known introduced range:C. camphora has become widely naturalised in Australia. In the United States, it grows along the Gulf Coast and in California.
Camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) Weed close up.
Management information:
Preventative measures: A Risk Assessment of Cinnamomum camphora for Hawai‘i and other Pacific islands was prepared by Dr. Curtis Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service. The alien plant screening system with minor modifications for use in Pacific islands. The result is a score of 7.5 and a recommendation of: “Likely to cause significant ecological or economic harm in Hawai‘i and on other Pacific Islands as determined by a high WRA score, which is based on published sources describing species biology and behaviour in Hawai‘i and/or other parts of the world.
Physical: 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 Cinnamomum camphora trees up to 3m tall is also effective. Basal bark or cut stump herbicide treatments are effective for trees up to 6m , or with a basal stem diameter up to 30cm with no multi stems. For basal bark, spray from ground level up to a height of 30cm or higher than where multi stems branch.
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