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Tarchonanthus camphoratus
Also called African Flea Bane, Camphor Buh, Camphor Bush, Gordonia Camphor Tree, Gordonia Camphorbush, Griqua Camphorbush, Karamabaki Wood
Camphorwood is a dioecious shrub or small tree from Africa south of the Sahel and Yemen, reaching about 6 m, with leaves that smell strongly of camphor when bruised. It is grown mainly as an ornamental or hardy garden shrub in dry, sunny sites.
Tarchonanthus camphoratus (known as camphor bush for its scent, or leleshwa in Kenya), is a shrub or small tree which is widespread in Africa south of the Sahel, and in Yemen.
Tarchonanthus camphoratus wood is fragrant, close-grained, attractive, durable and rich in aromatic oils. It is used as wood fuel and a source of charcoal. It is also used as a traditional building material, in horticulture, and in tribal papermaking. Leleshwa is also a source of aromatic oils used as fragrances. Its leaves are used by the Maasai to scent their homes and persons.
Tarchonanthus camphoratus is used as a traditional remedy for respiratory illnesses. The species has wide range of local uses, including dental hygiene.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Tarchonanthus camphoratus by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
