Cinnamomum camphora
|
Taxon |
Family |
|
Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl |
Lauraceae |
 |
 |
| C. camphora trees on the streets of Tokyo, Japan Credit: Shigemitsu Araki |
Trees becoming established in Hawaii |
Common names: Camphor laurel, camphor tree, Japanese camphor
Synonyms: Laurus camphora L., Camphora camphora (L.) Karst.
Life form: Tree (evergreen)
Biology/Ecology:
Dispersal: Produces seeds with a 7.5mm diameter which are spread by a few species of birds. Spreads vegetatively by root suckering. Introduced by humans for ornamental purposes.
Reproduction: Flowers are hermaphroditic. Produces a large number of seed-containing fruits, which are black and 1 cm across. Seeds have poor germination due to their hard coats. A large tree may produce over 100 000 seeds per year.
Herbivores: No information available.
Resistant stages: Seeds have hard coat but do not last very long. Wood is resistant to attack from insects.
Habitat:
Native habitat: Mesic forests and well drained stream banks.
Habitat occupied in invaded range: Mainly dry disturbed areas, also rainforests, riparian zones, pine forests, bushland, scrubland and pastures.
Habitat requirements:
| Altitude | No information available. |
| Light | Full sun or partial shade. |
| Temperature | No information available. |
| Annual rainfall | Established trees are drought tolerant. |
| Soil | Fertile, sandy, dry soils with a pH of between 4.3 and 8. |
Distribution:
Native to Japan, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea.
Introduced range: Invasive in Australia, southern USA, Caribbean Islands, southern Africa and Tanzania, Ghana, Vietnam and Hawaii. Introduced but not invasive in southern Europe, Madagascar, Canary and Madeira Islands.
Impacts:
Ecosystem: The tree grows like a weed, displacing native trees.
Health, social and economic: Leaves, fruits and roots are toxic to humans as they stimulate the central nervous system, affecting respiration and causing convulsions. The fruits contain chemicals that are known to cause sterility in birds. The trees have been associated with the killing of fish and absence of frogs in nearby wetlands. Root system is extensive and fast growing so can damage nearby building foundations and infrastructure. Trees often grow next to fences and under power lines, as this is where the birds drop the seeds. This causes damage to the fences and power lines.
Management:
Mechanical: Seedlings and saplings can be dug out, but mature trees have a large root system from which the plant will regrow if cut.
Chemical: There are three methods depending on the height of the tree:
Biological: Intensive grazing has successfully controlled the plant on cultivated ground.
References:
NBII and ISSG, 2005. Cinnamomum camphora (tree). Global Invasive Species Database. Available from http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=291&fr=1&sts=sss (Accessed August 2006).
Weber, E., 2003. Invasive Plant Species of the World: A Reference Guide to Environmental Weeds. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK.
Land Protection, 2006. Camphor laurel. Land Protection, Queensland Government, Australia. Available from http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/factsheets/pdf/pest/pp46.pdf (Accessed August 2006).
Last updated October 2006
