Cinnamomum camphora

(Linnaeus) J. Presl

in F. Berchtold & J. S. Presl, Prir. Rostlin 2: 47. 1825.

Common names: Camphor tree
IllustratedIntroduced
Basionym: Laurus camphora Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 1: 369. 1753
Synonyms: Camphora camphora (Linnaeus) H. Karsten
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Trees, to 15 m. Branches terete, glabrous, terminal and axillary buds covered by imbricate bracts, young twigs with clusters of scars from fallen bracts. Leaves alternate; petiole to 3 cm. Leaf blade ovate to elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, with (1-)3 primary veins, 7-12 × 3-5 cm, base rounded to cuneate, apex sharply acute; surfaces glabrous except for pubescent domatia in axils of main lateral veins. Flowers: tepals greenish white, 1-2 mm, glabrous abaxially, pubescent adaxially; stamens arranged in outer whorl of 6 (actually 2 whorls of 3) and inner whorl of 3. Drupe to 9 mm diam. 2n = 24.


Phenology: Flowering spring (Apr–May).
Habitat: Moist subtropical areas, including the Gulf Coast
Elevation: 0-150 m

Distribution

V3 19-distribution-map.gif

Introduced; Ala., Miss., Fla., Ga., La., N.C., S.C., Tex., native, e Asia.

Discussion

Cinnamomum camphora is naturalized locally in the flora. Its crushed leaves have a strong smell of camphor. This species yields commercial camphor.

The name Cinnamomum camphora (Linnaeus) T. Nees & C. H. Ebermaier is nomenclaturally invalid.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Cinnamomum camphora"
Henk var der Werff +
(Linnaeus) J. Presl +
Laurus camphora +
Camphor tree +
Ala. +, Miss. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, La. +, N.C. +, S.C. +, Tex. +, native +  and e Asia. +
0-150 m +
Moist subtropical areas, including the Gulf Coast +
Flowering spring (Apr–May). +
in F. Berchtold & J. S. Presl, Prir. Rostlin +
Illustrated +  and Introduced +
Camphora camphora +
Cinnamomum camphora +
Cinnamomum +
species +