Camphor Tree, Camphor Laurel                        sin-a-MO-mum kam-FOR-a

• Evergreen tree, fast growing, 40-60(100) ft tall and wide (12 × 18 m [30 m]), rounded shape, then wide spreading.  Leaves simple, alternate, oval, oval-lanceolate to obovate, 7.5-10 cm long, 4-7.5 wide, tip acuminate, base wedge-shaped, margin entire, dark green and glabrous above (new growth bronzy), 3-4 vein pairs, fragrant (camphor) odor when crushed.  Flowers perfect, small (1-2 mm), greenish white and fragrant, in 5-7.5 cm axillary clusters.  Fruit black, about 1 cm wide, produced in great numbers and can messy.
• Sun or light shade.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 9         Native to Japan, southeast China (City Tree of Suzhou) and Taiwan.   Note: Considered an invasive species in Australia and in Florida.  Birds eat the plentiful fruit and distribute the seeds.
• camphora: pertaining to camphor.