Camphora officinarum (Camphor Tree)

Camphora officinarum is a species of evergreen tree indigenous to warm temperate to subtropical regions of East Asia, including countries such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. It is known by various names, most notably the Camphor Tree, Camphorwood or Camphor Laurel. The leaves have a glossy, waxy appearance and smell of camphor when crushed. In spring, it produces bright green foliage with masses of very small white fragrant flowers. Produces clusters of black, berry-like fruit around 1cm in diameter. The pale bark is very rough and fissured vertically. H 20-30m

Camphor is a white crystalline substance, obtained from the tree. Camphor has been used for many centuries as a culinary spice, a component of incense, and as a medicine. It is also an insect repellent and a flea-killing substance.