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Camphor-tree

Camphora officinarum

Found in disturbed areas, suburban woodlands, increasingly in natural forests. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

-15
Harmful

Not native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 71%

Height
40–50 feet
Spread
50–70 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Dry to average

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Alabama.

At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Evergreen
Bloom
April to May

Recorded in 7 Alabama counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Forests and woodlands

Trail on Little Kennesaw Mountain.
Named place / source context. Shown: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Georgia, a neighboring state.Trail on Little Kennesaw Mountain., Unidentified in HFC record, undated. Public domain. Source record.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

7CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

Genus host records with ranges including AL · Cinnamomum

  • Callosamia prometheaPromethea Silkmoth, Promethea Moth
  • Callosamia securiferaSweetbay Silkmoth, Carolina Silk Moth
  • Oiketicus abbotiiAbbot's Bagworm Moth
  • Papilio glaucusEastern Tiger Swallowtail
  • Papilio palamedesPalamedes Swallowtail
  • Papilio troilusSpicebush Swallowtail
  • Selenisa sueroidesTailpipes, Pale-Edged Selenisa Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Lauraceae
Hardiness
Zones 9b–11b
Soil pH
Acidic to neutral
Flower color
Green or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Camphor tree; Cinnamomum camphora

Conservation status

Alabama rankSNA
Global rankGNR
AL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources