What is the latest information on camphor trees? A comprehensive introduction in one article
The camphor tree is an evergreen large tree of the genus Cinnamomum in the family Lauraceae, also known as camphor tree, camphor wood, stinking camphor, black camphor, etc. The entire plant has a camphor aroma, is resistant to harmful gases such as chlorine, sulfur dioxide, ozone and fluorine, can repel mosquitoes and flies, can be used to produce camphor and extract camphor oil, and the wood is suitable for making furniture and boxes. Now let us take a look at what information there is on camphor trees!
Morphological Characteristics
The camphor tree can reach a height of 30 m and a diameter of 3 m. Its crown is broadly ovate. The branches, leaves and wood all have a camphor odor. The bark is yellowish brown. The terminal buds are broadly ovate or spherical, and the branches are cylindrical. The leaves are alternate and ovate-elliptic, and the petioles are slender. When young, the bark is green and smooth, and when old it gradually becomes yellowish brown or grayish brown with longitudinal fissures. The panicles are axillary and stalked, and the flowers are greenish white or yellowish. The outside of the perianth is hairless or slightly pubescent, the perianth tube is obconical, and the perianth lobes are elliptic. The ovary is spherical and hairless. The fruit is ovoid or nearly spherical and purple-black. The flowering period is from April to May, and the fruiting period is from August to November.
Growth Habits
The camphor tree mostly prefers light and is slightly shade-tolerant. It likes a warm and humid climate and is not very cold-hardy. It is suitable for growing in sandy loam and is relatively tolerant of waterlogging, but when transplanting, care should be taken to maintain soil moisture. Waterlogging easily leads to root rot and death from lack of oxygen, but it is not tolerant of drought, barren soil or saline-alkali soil. The main root is well developed and deep-rooted, and it can resist wind. It has strong sprouting ability and tolerates pruning. Its growth rate is medium, and the tree shape is huge like an umbrella, able to provide shade and coolness.
Distribution Range
The camphor tree adapts to altitudes below 1800 m, and in the growth areas south of the Yangtze River and in the southwest, the altitude can reach 1000 m. It mainly grows on fertile sunny slopes, valleys and flat riverside land in subtropical zones. It is produced in the southern and southwestern provinces and regions of China, and is also distributed in Vietnam, Korea and Japan. It is often introduced and cultivated in other countries. The Yibin area of Sichuan Province has the widest growth area, and the main breeding and propagation bases include Shuyang in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and other places.
Cultivation Value
1. Economic value: The roots, wood, branches and leaves of the camphor tree can all be used to extract camphor and camphor oil. Camphor is used in medicine, plastics, explosives, preservation and insecticides, while camphor oil can be used as a raw material for pesticides, ore dressing, soap making, varnish and essences. The wood is of good quality, resistant to insect damage and tolerant of waterlogging, and is used for construction, shipbuilding, furniture, boxes and cabinets, boards and carving.
2. Landscape value: The camphor tree has dense branches and leaves, a large crown with dense shade, and a majestic tree form. It can absorb smoke and retain dust, conserve water, fix soil and prevent sand, and beautify the environment. It is an excellent tree species for urban greening and is widely used as a shade tree, street tree, shelterbelt and scenic forest, often used for garden ornament. Planted in clumps, groups or singly in lawns, or used as a background tree, it is majestic and spectacular. Because of its strong resistance to various toxic gases, strong ability to absorb and retain dust, and ability to absorb harmful gases, it is often used in cities and industrial and mining areas.
3. Medicinal value: The bark of the camphor tree has the effect of promoting qi circulation and treats lower limb ulcers. The fruit of the camphor tree has the effect of relieving exterior syndrome and reducing fever, and treats high fever and cold, measles, whooping cough, dysentery and other conditions. The root of the camphor tree has the effect of regulating qi and activating blood, and eliminating wind-dampness, and treats vomiting and diarrhea, distending pain in the heart and abdomen, wind-damp arthralgia, traumatic injuries and other conditions. Camphor wood has the effect of dispelling wind-dampness, promoting qi and blood circulation, and benefiting the joints, and treats distending pain in the heart and abdomen, beriberi, gout, scabies, traumatic injuries and other conditions.