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Cinnamomum camphora
| Family Name: | Lauraceae |
| Common Name: | Camphor Tree, Japanese Camphor Tree, 樟树 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Rounded |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | China, Japan, India, Taiwan, Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Evergreen large tree with a spreading crown, able to grow up to about 30 - 40 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Bark is brown or yellow and fissured. |
| Foliage | Green leaves, elliptic to broadly ovate, simple and alternate arrangement, measuring about 4 - 11 cm long and 2 - 4.5 cm wide, has 3 distinct yellow veins spreading from the base, aromatic when crushed, young leaves tend to be rusty dark red in colour. |
| Flowers | Small, cream to pale-yellowish flowers borne on a terminal panicle inflorescence about 7.5 cm long, |
| Fruit | Fruit is a rounded fleshy drupe, about 7 - 10 mm wide, turns purplish-black when ripen, contains 1 seed. |
| Etymology | Genus Cinnamomum is from the Greek word "Kinnamomon" which means spice. Species camphora means camphor-like scented. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice): This tree was cultivated to obtain camphor, which is a substance used as a spice. Medicinal: The oil extracted is used medicinally |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens |
|---|
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Purple |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1512 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2805 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
