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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis'
Ilex cornuta Form
Elaeagnus pungens Form

Cinnamomum camphora

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
sin-uh-MOH-mum kamp-FOR-uh
Description

Camphor Tree is a small evergreen tree native to Japan and Taiwan.  It is tolerant of urban conditions and makes a good street tree though it is has shown itself to be very weedy and out-compete native species especially in Florida.  It produces copious amounts of seeds and self-seeds easily.  The tree is very easy to identify simply crushing the leaves or twigs will release the smell of camphor.    

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant is susceptible to laurel wilt.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#weedy#fragrant leaves#street tree#fast growing#fragrant stems#disturbed areas#evergreen tree#urban conditions tolerant
 
Cinnamomum camphora
Flower and Leaves Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Cinnamomum camphora
Leaf Close-up Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Cinnamomum camphora
Tree Line Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Cinnamomum camphora
Form Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Cinnamomum camphora
Bark Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Cinnamomum camphora
Leaves and Fruit Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#weedy#fragrant leaves#street tree#fast growing#fragrant stems#disturbed areas#evergreen tree#urban conditions tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cinnamomum
    Species:
    camphora
    Family:
    Lauraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    It is used for oils and timber in Asia.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Dry
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Dark blue to black 1/2" in diameter
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Green-white to pale yellow fragrant flowers on 3" long panicles
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Shiny, dark green entire margins but they can be wavy
  • Bark:
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Ridges
    Scaly
    Bark Description:
    Scaly to furrowed with flat-topped ridges
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    New twigs are green turning red-brown. Buds are pointed 1/2" long.