Scientific Name: Cinnamomum camphora

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  • Pronunciation:
    sinna-MOW-mum cam-FOR-ah
  • Common Name:
    Camphor Laurel
  • Derivation:
    Cinnamomun: Latin Cinnamomum = Greek Kinnamomon -cinnamon
  • Type:
    Tree
  • Family:
    LAURACEAE
  • Status:
    WEED This introduced plant has escaped into local bushland. Without natural predators to keep it in check, it is out-competing native species. Dominates watercourses.
  • Flowers:
    Cream, perfumed, spring to summer
  • Fruit:
    Black to 10 mm
  • Species List:
    Coolum High, Pomona School Oval, Meridan College, Cooroy Mill Site, Noosa High School, Cooroy Primary School, Pacific Lutheran College, BSDoonan, Cooloothin Corner, Tewantin Forest Gyndier, Cooroibah Conservation Park, Cooroibah Bushland Reserve, Cranks Creek, weeds, NNS, TAFE, Wallace Park, Heritage Park
Cultural Notes

Native of Taiwan, Japan and China. Extensively planted as a shade tree. Early settlers ate native pigeons, but when the camphor laurels arrived and became so common, the birds ate their fruit instead of native plants. This tainted the flesh and the birds were saved.

Identification Notes

Leaf: simple, opposite, 3-veined, glossy, characteristic odour.

Associated Fauna

Pigeons. Spread by birds.

Landscaping Notes

CONTROL METHODS: REMOVAL: Remove every part of the plant - hand-pull seedlings. Replace with: Lophostemon confertus,Ficus spp., Syzygium and Acmena spp., Castanospermum australe.