Cinnamomum Camphora, Camphor Tree - 0.5 kg Seeds

Cinnamomum camphora, the Camphor Tree or Kapur, is a large evergreen tree of the laurel family with a broad, dense crown of glossy, aromatic leaves that release a strong camphor scent when crushed. All parts of the tree are richly aromatic.

It is grown chiefly for camphor and camphor oil, distilled from its wood and leaves for medicinal, ritual and industrial use, and is also valued as a fragrant, shade-giving ornamental and avenue tree. The pale, fine-grained wood is used for chests and joinery and naturally repels insects. In India it is cultivated in the warmer parts of the south, the north-east and sub-Himalayan tracts, preferring deep, moist, well-drained soils and a mild subtropical climate.

• Family: Lauraceae
• Native region: East Asia (China, Japan and Taiwan)
• Mature height: 20-30 m
• Growth rate: Moderate

The seeds are short-lived (recalcitrant), so sow them fresh. Remove the black fleshy pulp from the berries, soak the cleaned seeds in water for a day or two, and sow about 1-2 cm deep in a well-drained tray kept warm and moist. Germination is slow and often staggered, taking 30 or more days; grow the seedlings on under part shade and transplant once they are sturdy and 25-40 cm tall.