Camphor Tree

Scientific Name : Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl
Common Name : Camphor Tree
Chinese Name : 樟, 樟樹, 樟腦樹
Family : LAURACEAE
Local distribution status : Native species

Anecdotes on plants

Ecology	Camphor Tree is a native species of Hong Kong and also a common plant in Fung Shui Wood. The species provides both food and shelter to the local butterflies and birds.
Origins	Widely distributed in the provinces on the southern side of Chang Jiang River in China. It is also distributed in Korea, Japan and Vietnam.
Applications	All parts of the plant are camphor-scented, which is one of its identifying traits. Its crown is broad with very dense branches and leaves, making it an excellent ornamental tree. Its volatile oil can be refined into camphor through a distillation process. Camphor can be applied in folk medicines, incense, pesticides and repellents, etc. The entire plant can be applied in Traditional Chinese Medicines, possessing painkilling, itch relieving, cardiotonic and antibacterial properties. Its timber can be crafted into furniture, sculptures, boats, etc.
City Tree	In China, 36 cities selected the Camphor Tree as their City Tree, including Nanchang, Changsha, Wuxi, Suzhou, Jiaxing, etc.
Old and Valuable Trees (OVTs)	In Hong Kong, there are currently 44 Camphor Tree individuals registered as OVTs. The one located in She Shan Tsuen of Tai Po has a 3-meter Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), while the estimated age of the one growing in Lai Chi Wo of Sha Tau Kok exceeds 100 years. For details, please visit the following website – https://ovt.greening.gov.hk/listtree.aspx?m=13&q=l&qt=3&species_id=226

Traits for identification

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Remarks

Scientific name above is based on Hong Kong Herbarium website : https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=8770

Scientific names from other databases
― Flora of China : Cinnamomum camphora (Linnaeus) J. Presl
― Plants of the World Online : Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl

Reference

• Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). (2018). A Photographic Guide to Common Urban Trees of Hong Kong. 3^rd edition. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong. ISBN: 978-988-12021-3-0.
• Development Bureau. (2020). AFCD/LK/009, Old and Valuable Tree Information. Old and Valuable Trees in Hong Kong. Retrieved 22^th June 2020, from: https://ovt.greening.gov.hk/detail.aspx?id=4&m=13
• Development Bureau. (2020). LANDSD TP/1, Old and Valuable Tree Information. Old and Valuable Trees in Hong Kong. Retrieved 22^th June 2020, from: https://ovt.greening.gov.hk/detail.aspx?id=10&m=13
• Development Bureau. (2020). Species name: Cinnamomum camphora - 樟, Listing - By Species. Old and Valuable Trees in Hong Kong. Retrieved 22^th June 2020, from: https://ovt.greening.gov.hk/listtree.aspx?m=13&q=l&qt=3&species_id=226
• eFloras. (2008). Cinnamomum camphora (Linnaeus) J. Presl. Flora of China. [Online Edition]. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 25^th March 2020, from: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200008697
• Hong Kong Herbarium, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department & South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2007-2011). Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl 樟. Flora of Hong Kong. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 25^th March 2020, from: https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/FloraOfHK/Species/8770/8770_S_E.pdf
• School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University & Hong Kong Baptist University Library. (2007). Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl. Medicinal Plant Images Database. Retrieved 30^th March 2020, from: https://libproject.hkbu.edu.hk/was40/detail?lang=en&channelid=1288&searchword=herb_id=D00867
• Shiu-Ying Hu Herbarium. (2020). Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl 樟. Factsheet. Taxonomical Archieve System. Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation Native Plant Resources and Database in Hong Kong. Retrieved 25^th March 2020, from: http://syhuherbarium.sls.cuhk.edu.hk/collections/factsheet/cinnamomum-camphora/
• Shiu-Ying Hu Herbarium. (2020). Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl 樟. Pro-Factsheet. Taxonomical Archieve System. Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation Native Plant Resources and Database in Hong Kong. Retrieved 25^th March 2020, from: http://syhuherbarium.sls.cuhk.edu.hk/collections/factsheet-pro/cinnamomum-camphora/
• Zhou, Y., & Yan, W. (2016). Conservation and applications of camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) in China: Ethnobotany and genetic resources. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 63(6), 1049-1061. Retrieved 30^th March 2020, from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10722-015-0300-0
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• 中國科學院植物誌編輯委員會。（1959-2004）。〈樟Cinnamomum camphora (Linn.) Presl〉。《中國植物誌》。[網上版本]。於2020年3月25日擷取自 : http://www.iplant.cn/info/Cinnamomum%20camphora?t=z
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