Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl, Lauraceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 7.5 (Go to the risk assessment)

Common name(s): [more details]

English: camphor laurel, camphor tree

French: camphre, camphrier

Spanish: alcanfor, alcanforero

Habit:  tree

Description:  "Tree; leaves 3-nerved (usually), 6-10 cm long, 3-6 cm wide, ovate or elliptic, coriaceous, somewhat glaucous below, shiny above, with 2 impressed glands in vein axils dorsally; petioles 15-25 mm long; inflorescence shorter than the leaves, pubescent; flowers yellowish-green, perianth segments 1.5 mm long; fruit globose, black, 7-8 mm thick" (Stone, 1970)."A large, robust tree which grows to about 20 m tall.  The leaves are ovate to elliptical and emit a characteristic camphor odour when crushed" (Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 100).

Habitat/ecology:  "Rain forests, riparian habitats, bushland, wet sclerophyll forests.  The tree has an excellent adaptation to disturbed sites and easily becomes naturalized where planted.  The tree forms single-dominant stands that delay or preclude native rainforest regeneration"  (Weber, 2003; p. 107).  Develops extensive monospecific stands which prevent regeneration of native trees and shrubs.

In New Caledonia, "cette espèce introduite s'acclimate et puisse se multiplier spontanément" (Kostermans, 1974; p. 29). In Queensland, Australia, "extensive monospecific stands have developed along the banks of creeks and rivers preventing regeneration of native tree and shrub species.  It is particularly well-adapted to areas formerly covered by rainforest."  (Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 100).  In the Blue Mountains, Australia, "invades moist bushland slopes and gullies, creating dense shade, competing with and taking over from native species, and continuing to inhibit their regeneration even after its removal"  (Weeds of Blue Mountains bushland).

Propagation:  Seeds dispersed by frugivorous birds and also by water. Seeds voided by birds germinate readily and remain viable for up to three years. (Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 100).

Native range:  Japan, China, Taiwan and northern Vietnam.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Lord Howe Island	Lord Howe Island	introduced	Pickard, J. (1984) (p. 207)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Lord Howe Island	Lord Howe Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 20) Voucher cited: J. Pickard 3456 (NSW)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Norfolk Islands	Norfolk Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 20) "On Norfolk Is. according to W.R.Sykes (Annual J. Roy. New Zealand Inst. Hort. 8: 53, 1980) it occurs in the Hundred Acre Reserve, where it 'spreads extensively from suckers' - presumably from planted trees".
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	cultivated	Sykes, Bill (year unknown)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1929) (voucher ID: BISH 151356) Taxon name on voucher: Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1991) (voucher ID: BISH 665314) Taxon name on voucher: Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1985) (voucher ID: PTBG 37293) Taxon name on voucher: Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 80)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (p. 122) Voucher cited: DA 8302
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced cultivated	Falanruw, Marjorie C./Maka, Jean E./Cole, Thomas G./Whitesell, Craig D. (1990) (pp. 146-147)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1989) (voucher ID: BISH 601495) Taxon name on voucher: Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced cultivated	Falanruw, Marjorie C./Maka, Jean E./Cole, Thomas G./Whitesell, Craig D. (1990) (pp. 146-147)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 132) Voucher cited: Grant 4348
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Falanruw, Marjorie C./Maka, Jean E./Cole, Thomas G./Whitesell, Craig D. (1990) (pp. 146-147)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 282) Rare if still present.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 80)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1954) (voucher ID: BISH 151361) Taxon name on voucher: Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1918) (voucher ID: BISH 151362) Taxon name on voucher: Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 846) Occasional escape.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 846) Occasional escape.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 846) Occasional escape.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 846) Voucher cited: MacDaniels 371 (BISH) Occasional escape.
Japan (offshore islands) Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 71) Vouchers cited: MacKee 23935, Suprin 549
New Zealand (offshore islands) Kermadec Islands	Raoul Island	introduced cultivated	Sykes, W. R. (1977) (p. 111)
New Zealand (offshore islands) Kermadec Islands	Raoul Island	introduced cultivated	Sykes, W. R./West, C. J. (1996) (p. 459) Died out naturally.

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	New South Wales	introduced invasive cultivated	Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. (1998) (p. 100)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive cultivated	Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. (1998) (p. 100)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2009)
Japan Japan	Japan (country)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2009)
Taiwan Taiwan	Taiwan Island	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2009)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Lavergne, Christophe (2006) "Cultivé/±envahissant"

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced invasive	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2009)

Comments:  Planted for the fragrant wood, from which oil of camphor may be extracted. A problem species in Florida and Australia. In Queensland, it is considered to be the most important threat to the conservation of remnant native forests (Garraty, cited in Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 100).

Control: 

Physical:  "Control of this tree on cultivated ground has relied on intensive grazing.  Seedlings can be hand removed".

Chemical:  "Cutting trees requires treating the cut stumps with herbicides because of rapid regeneration from stumps.  Young plants can be treated with 2,4-D esters and 2,4,5-T.  Larger plants can be killed by a basal bark or cut stump application of the same herbicides"  (Weber, 2003; p. 107).

Additional information:
Report (PDF format) from US Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Haleakala Field Station, Hawaii "Plants of Hawaii".
Photos and additional information at University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.
Fact sheet from the Government of Queensland, Australia. (PDF format)
Fact sheet from "Common forest trees of Hawaii" (PDF format).
Information from "Invasive plants of Asian origin established in the United States and their natural enemies, volume 1" (PDF format).
Information from the World Agroforestry Centre's AgroForestryTree Database.
Information from the Global Invasive Species Database.
Information from the book "Identification and biology of non-native plants in Florida's natural areas" (PDF format).
Information and photos at Weeds of Blue Mountains bushland.

Additional online information about Cinnamomum camphora is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Cinnamomum camphora as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Cinnamomum camphora may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1918. Voucher specimen #BISH 151362 (Nelson, P. 97).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1929. Voucher specimen #BISH 151356 (Wilder, G.P.; collector's voucher number unknown).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1954. Voucher specimen #BISH 151361 (Fosberg, F.R. 35593).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1989. Voucher specimen #BISH 601495 (J.Florence 9907).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1991. Voucher specimen #BISH 665314 (Sykes, W.R. 474375).

Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. 1998. Potential environmental weeds in Australia: Candidate species for preventative control. Canberra, Australia. Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia. 208 pp.

Falanruw, Marjorie C./Maka, Jean E./Cole, Thomas G./Whitesell, Craig D. 1990. Unpublished database and supplement to: Common and scientific names of trees and shrubs of Mariana, Caroline, and Marshall Islands. Pac. SW Forest and Range Expt. Stn. Resource Bulletin PSW-67. 91 pp.

Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce. 1979. A geographical checklist of the Micronesian dicotyledonae. Micronesica 15:1-295.

Harley, Barbara. 2009. Weeds of Blue Mountains bushland. (booklet and online resource).

Kato, Hidetoshi. 2007. Herbarium records of Makino Herbarium, Tokyo Metropolitan University. Personal communication.

Kostermans, André J. G. H. 1974. Lauracées. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et Dépendances. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. Vol. 5, 123 pp.

Langeland, K. A./Burks, K. Craddock. eds. 1998. Identification and biology of non-native plants in Florida's natural areas. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida. 165 pp.

Lavergne, Christophe. 2006. List des especes exotiques envahissantes a La Reunion. Unpublished manuscript (Excel file). .

Little, Elbert L./Skolmen, Roger G. 1989. Common forest trees of Hawaii (native and introduced). USDA Agriculture Handbook 679. Washington, D.C. 377 pp. + plates.

Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. 2008. Flora of the Marquesas Islands. National Tropical Botanical Garden and the Smithsonian Institution. Online database.

MacKee, H. S. 1994. Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 164 p.

National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.). 1985. Voucher specimen #PTBG37293(Art Whistler W 5701a).

Orchard, Anthony E., ed. 1994. Flora of Australia. Vol. 49, Oceanic islands 1. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Pickard, J. 1984. Exotic plants on Lord Howe Island: Distribution in space and time, 1853-1981. J. of Biogeography 11:181-208.

Smith, Albert C. 1981. Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii. Volume 2. 810 pp.

Stone, Benjamin C. 1970. The flora of Guam. Micronesica 6:1-659.

Sykes, Bill. 0. Bill Sykes, pers. com.

Sykes, W. R. 1977. Kermadec Islands flora: an annotated checklist. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin 219, Wellington. 216 pp.

Sykes, W. R./West, C. J. 1996. New records and other information on the vascular flora of the Kermadec Islands. New Zealand Journal of Botany 34:447-462.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2009. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. 2009. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. 1999. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Revised edition. Bernice P. Bishop Museum special publication. University of Hawai‘i Press/Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 1919 pp. (two volumes).

Weber, Ewald. 2003. Invasive plants of the World. CABI Publishing, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. 548 pp.

Welsh, S. L. 1998. Flora Societensis: A summary revision of the flowering plants of the Society Islands. E.P.S. Inc., Orem, Utah. 420 pp.

Zheng, Hao/Wu, Yun/Ding, Jianqing/Binion, Denise/Fu, Weidong/Reardon, Richard. 2004. Invasive plants of Asian origin established in the United States and their natural enemies, volume 1. FHTET-2004-05. U.S. Forest Service, Morgantown.