Camphor tree

Camphor tree is a large evergreen tree 20–30 m tall, occasionally to 40 m, with a straight trunk sometimes over 1 m across and a broad, year-round green crown; the bark is grey-brown and longitudinally fissured. The leaves are alternate, ovate to elliptic, 5–12 cm long, glossy green above and slightly glaucous beneath, with three prominent main veins, and release a characteristic camphor smell when crushed. The small pale yellow-green flowers are borne in axillary clusters; the fruit is a small globose drupe ripening purple-black with a single seed. The trunk, branches, leaves and roots all contain fragrant essential oil; the chromosome number is 2n = 24.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

Camphor tree originates in East Asia — southern China, Taiwan, Japan (Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands) and Korea — growing in moist evergreen forests in valleys and at the foot of mountains, from the lowlands to about 1,000 m. It has long been planted widely across Asia for timber, camphor and shade, which has carried it to Vietnam, India, South-East Asia and beyond. In humid subtropical regions such as eastern Australia, the southern United States and some Pacific islands it has naturalized and is regarded as an invasive species requiring control.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

Camphor oil is a complex mixture: camphor makes up a high proportion of the wood (up to 30–50% in old trees), together with 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), safrole, linalool, limonene, camphene and alpha-terpineol. Camphor is a crystalline terpenoid that gives a cooling sensation and selectively activates ion channels in the skin; 1,8-cineole carries the eucalyptus-like note and an expectorant action. Safrole is an aromatic compound with liver toxicity and is restricted in food and cosmetics. Besides the oil, the wood contains tannins and lignans. Oil composition varies with plant part, tree age and provenance.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

Camphor tree is a long-used multipurpose species: the pale-yellow to red-brown wood is fine-grained, fragrant and durably scented, used for chests, cabinets, joinery and carvings and helping to repel moths and insects. The wood and leaves are distilled to produce camphor and essential oil for medicines (liniments for pain, cold remedies, expectorants), fragrance, insect repellents and industrial uses (historically in celluloid). In East Asian folk medicine camphor is applied externally and used in remedies for colds and aches. The tree is also planted for shade, landscaping and windbreaks.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

It is listed as Least Concern (LC) and is not globally threatened; it is harvested for timber and oil yet widely planted and still abundant, though in some regions it is an invasive species needing control. As for safety, camphor and camphor oil can be toxic if swallowed, especially to young children (risk of seizures), and can irritate skin and mucous membranes; safrole is hepatotoxic. Do not take neat camphor internally or apply it to open wounds, and avoid it in young children and pregnancy unless a doctor advises. When planting, note its capacity to spread and compete with native vegetation in subtropical areas.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026