Weeds in our Area (Part One Hundred and Forty Five)
By Bob and Ena McIntyre – Garden Route Region.
UPDATED LIST: Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor Tree)
Cinnamomum camphora (commonly known as Camphor tree) is native to Taiwan, southern Japan,
southeast China and Indochina. Camphor was listed as a Category 1 alien invasive species in KZN,
Northern Province & Mpumalanga –it is therefore interesting to note that the updated list
includes the Southern Cape. When we visited the Woodville area some years ago we noted that a
road alongside the indigenous forest was edged by an avenue of mature Camphor trees that had
clearly been around for some considerable time. Young saplings were in evidence in the
surrounding fynbos - easily identified by the strong camphor scent when the leaves are crushed.
Recommended as a fine “specimen” species for an “estate” garden, the early gardening literature
also mentions that the plant can cope with any amount of clipping, making it particularly suitable
for topiary work as well as a good tub subject. The authors sounded a warning about the Camphor
tree’s strong invasive root system mentioning damage to pipes, fences and walls in close proximity
to the trees. Easy propagation from seed explains how the species has become problematic.
In its countries of origin Cinnamomum camphora is also cultivated - as a source of camphor
crystals and for timber. Camphor has been used for many centuries as a culinary spice, an
ingredient of incense, a medicine and an effective insect repellent. Camphor is a white crystalline
substance, obtained from the chipped timber of the tree by means of a distilling process.
Historically primitive stills were set up in the mountainous areas where the trees usually grow. The
chips were steamed in a “retort” – a closed container in which large quantities of chips were
heated, allowing the camphor to crystallize on the inside of a crystallization box. After the vapour
had passed through a cooling chamber the crystals were collected and transported to
government-run factories for processing and sale. The production of camphor in a solid waxy form
was a major industry in Taiwan prior to and during the Japanese colonial era.
Description: The Camphor Tree is a very large robust
evergreen tree 10-26 metres high. It has a dense canopy
of smooth bright green glossy leaves with blue-grey
undersides. The leaves have a waxy texture. Young
leaves have a reddish/coppery tinge. The distinctly
three-veined leaves exude a camphor scent when
crushed. Emerging buds are encased by large
overlapping scales. The bark is smooth and green when
young becoming rough and vertically fissured with age.
The minute flowers are borne on delicate panicles in the
leaf axils. The fruits are blue-black berries.
Invasive Status: Updated list – Category 1b - transformer. Cinnamomum camphora invades forest
margins, coastal bush and riverbanks.
Control: Currently no herbicides are registered and hand-pulling of seedlings is the best option
References: ALIEN WEEDS AND INVASIVE PLANTS: Lesley Henderson - Copyright @ 2001
Agricultural Research Council. www.wikipedia.org. The A-Z of Gardening in SA – W.G. Sheat