Camphor (Camphora officinarum) observed in Central, LA, US
iNaturalist: caryskaggs
Invasive Species
iNaturalistCamphor trees spreading through Louisiana neighborhoods can quietly crowd out native species while their strongly aromatic leaves and berries are toxic to pets and small children — knowing where they're turning up helps you spot and manage them before they take over.
Someone spotted and officially recorded a Camphor tree growing in Central, Louisiana. Camphor is an evergreen tree originally from Asia, famous for producing the strong-smelling camphor oil used in chest rubs and mothballs. It's considered invasive in parts of the American South because it spreads easily, grows quickly, and can push out plants that local wildlife depends on.
Key Findings
A single research-grade (community-verified) Camphor tree observation was logged in Central, Louisiana, contributing to citizen science tracking of this species.
Camphora officinarum is a known invasive or potentially invasive species in Gulf Coast states, with Louisiana's warm, humid climate providing suitable conditions for naturalization.
iNaturalist research-grade status requires agreement from multiple independent observers, making this a reliable presence record for regional distribution databases.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A research-grade observation of Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) has been recorded in Central, Louisiana, USA via iNaturalist, adding a verified data point to the documented presence of this aromatic, non-native tree in the Gulf South region.
Abstract Preview
Research-grade observation of Camphor in Central, LA, US.
open_in_new Read full abstract on iNaturalistAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
Was this useful?
Urban Tree Canopy Reduces Heat-Related Mortality by 39% in European Cities
Trees in your local park or street aren't just pretty — they are literally keeping people alive during heatwaves, and planting even a modest number of the ri...
Camphor is a waxy, colorless solid with a strong aroma found in the wood of the camphor laurel, a large evergreen tree found in East Asia; and in the kapur tree, a tall timber tree from South East Asia. It is classified as a terpenoid and a cyclic ketone. It also occurs in some other related tree...