Tarchonanthus camphoratus

Tarchonanthus camphoratus (known as camphor bush for its scent, or leleshwa in Kenya), is a shrub or small tree, widespread in Africa south of the Sahel.

Tarchonanthus camphoratus
Foliage and flower heads, Nature's Valley, South Africa
Habit
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Tarchonanthus
Species:
T. camphoratus
Binomial name
Tarchonanthus camphoratus
Synonyms[1]
  • Tarchonanthus abyssinicus Sch.Bip.
  • Tarchonanthus litakunensis DC.
  • Tarchonanthus procerus Salisb.

Description

The camphor bush can reach up to 6 meters in height. The twigs and younger stems are white-felted, as are the undersides of the leaves. The upper leaf surface is dark olive-green. Bruised leaves smell strongly of camphor. Tarchonanthus camphoratus is dioecious. Flowers are usually present from December to May (in South Africa), with cream colored panicles on a discoid head. Male flowering heads have several flowers whilst the female has only a few. The fruit is a dense and woolly achene.[2]

Cultivation and uses

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.[3][4] It is also used as a traditional building material, in horticulture, and in tribal papermaking. Leleshwa is also a source of aromatic oils[5][6] used as fragrances. Its leaves are used by the Maasai to scent their homes and persons.

Medicinal use

Tarchonanthus camphoratus is used as a traditional remedy for respiratory illnesses.[7] The species has wide range of local uses, including dental hygiene.

  • Trunk and bark
  • Wood
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References
  1. The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 1 July 2016
  2. Hilliard, O.M. Compositae in Natal. University of Natal Press, 1977. pp. 110-112.
  3. Young, T.P. & C. Francombe (1991). "Growth and yield estimates in natural stands of leleshwa (Tarchonanthus camphoratus)". Forest Ecology and Management. 41: 309–321. doi:10.1016/0378-1127(91)90111-8.
  4. Kennedy, A.D. (1998). "Coppicing of Tarchonanthus camphoratus (Compositae) as a source of sustainable fuel-wood production: an example from Laikipia Plateau, Kenya". African Journal of Ecology. 36: 148–158. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2028.1998.00115.x.
  5. Mwangi, J.W., Achola, K.J.; et al. (1994). "Volatile constituents of the essential oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus L.". Journal of Essential Oil Research. 6: 183–185. doi:10.1080/10412905.1994.9698351.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. Bishay, D.W., Attia, A.A. and Fayed, M.A. (2002). "Flavones and a quaternary alkaloid from Tarchonanthus camphoratus L.". Bull. Pharm. Sci. Assiut Univ. 25 (1): 1–6.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. "Tarchonantus Camphoratus Herba", Google Docs.
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