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Cinnamomum camphora

Authority	(L.) Nees et Eberm.
Family	Magnoliopsida:Magnoliidae:Magnoliales:Lauraceae
Synonyms	Laurus camphora L.
Common names	albero della canfora, alcanfor, alcanforero, arbol del alcanfor, arvore da camphora, árvore-da-camphora, campher, camphor, camphor tree, camphre, camphrier, canfora, canforo, Japanese camphor, kafur, kamformii lavr, kamfornii derevo, kampferbaum, kapuur, karpoora, karpura, karpuram, karpuramu, korihnik kamfornii, kuso no ki, lauro canforo, pacchakarpuram, patckafur, xiang zhang shu, zhang, zhang shu
Editor
Ecocrop code	699

Notes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION A large handsome evergreen tree, reaching a height of 10-30 m and a girth of 2-2.5 m. The tree branches low, with a dense crown or can form a relatively straight clean bole, depending on the growing conditions. The bark is brown, rough when old and the leaves are shining, 5-10 cm long and smelling strongly of camphor when crushed. USES Logs, stumps, branches and leaves can be distilled to give crystalline camphor and camphor oil. The oil has medicinal properties and it is used in the manufacture of disinfectants, celluloid, and other chemical preparations. The tree is also extracted for Ho leaf oil used as a source of linalool. Fractionation of camphor-free oil provides an oil rich in safrole, usually described as Chinese sassafras oil and used in soap and perfume manufacture. The tree can also be planted as an avenue tree and as an ornamental shade tree. KILLING T May withstand temperatures down to -9°C, though unlignified twigs may be killed earlier. GROWING PERIOD Perennial. In Japan the tree is said to commence producing seed at the age of 20-25 years. COMMON NAMES Formosa camphor tree, Japan camphor tree. FURTHER INF Scientific synonym: Camphora officinarum. The natural habitat of Formosa camphor tree is in eastern Asia between latitudes 10-34°N. For its best growth the tree requires a sheltered situation. Other plants do not grow well in its vicinity.
Sources
SOURCES (C. camphora (L.) Presl) Troup R 1921 pp 790-795 [USE, RAIN, DEP, DRA, FER, TEXT, LIG, KTMP] Duke J 1975 pp 12 [TEMP, RAIN, PH] Purseglove J 1974 pp 188 [USE] Coppen J 1995 pp 7-24 [USE] Roecklein J 1987 pp 273 [USE]