CSIR CIMAP AROMA | Plant Details

Plant Details

:Common Name

Camphor Bush

:Scientific Name

Tarchonanthus camphoratus

:Introduction

Tarchonanthus camphoratus, commonly called the camphor bush because of its aromatic smell and known locally in Kenya as leleshwa, is a woody shrub or small-sized tree. It is naturally distributed across much of sub-Saharan Africa and also occurs in Yemen.

: Details

The camphor bush grows as a shrub or small tree and may attain a height of about 6 m. Its young branches and twigs are covered with a white, felt-like layer, a feature that is also visible on the lower surface of the leaves, while the upper surface appears dark olive green. When crushed, the leaves release a strong camphor-like aroma. Tarchonanthus camphoratus is a dioecious species, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Flowering generally takes place between December and May in South Africa. The flowers are cream coloured and arranged in panicles on discoid heads; male heads bear numerous flowers, whereas female heads contain only a few. The fruit develops as a compact, woolly achene.