Article Nº 0767 Plant Vol. I · p. 453
Camphor tree (Cinnamomum Camphora)
Original title: Canforeiro (Cinnamomum Camphora)
The camphor tree, native to Japan, is much grown in Funchal's gardens; the entry describes how camphor is extracted from its wood.
A tree of the laurel family (Lauraceae), native to Japan and widely grown in the quintas and gardens of Funchal. It yields the camphor of commerce, which is obtained by placing small pieces of the trunk and branches of the tree in an iron vessel whose lid must be pierced with rice straws. When heated, the camphor volatilises and adheres to the straw, producing crude camphor, which is greyish in colour. Sublimation of this product in a sand bath yields the camphor sold by pharmacies. The camphor tree is a good evergreen shade tree.