camphortree Lauraceae Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl symbol: CICA Leaf: Alternate, evergreen, simple, ovate to obovate, to 5 inches, margins entire and somewhat wavy, dark glossy green above, pale below, with three prominent veins, with a camphor odor when crushed. Flower: Somewhat showy and fragrant, greenish white to pale yellow, small and borne on 3-inch panicles. Fruit: Dark blue to black, round, fleshy drupes that are borne on green stalks; usually produced in abundance. Twig: Slender, geen changing to reddish brown, buds 1/2 inch, imbricate, and sharp-pointed, Bark: Reddish brown and quite variable, ranging from irregular furrows with flat-topped ridges to somewhat scaly. Form: A small to medium sized tree (to 60 feet but may reach 100 feet) with a round, wide-spreading crown. May form dense thickets where naturalized. Looks like: redbay Additional Range Information: Cinnamomum camphora is planted in the USDA hardiness zones shown above and may seed into the landscape. See states reporting camphortree. More: Fall Color External Links: USDA Plants Database Horticulture © Copyright 2016, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson