10 Tarchonanthus camphoratus Tree Seeds ~ Camphor Bush, Wild Camphor Tree, Wild Cotton - Indigenous

Tarchonanthus camphoratus is an evergreen shrub or small tree to 9 m tall, usually much-branched with a narrow crown. Tarchonanthus is a genus closely related to Brachylaena, with two species ranging from Saudi Arabia through East Africa to South Africa.

Functional uses: Food: Leaves used to prepare a beverage, smoked as tobacco or inhaled as snuff. Fodder: Shoot and leaves browsed by cattle. Milled mature branches, 1.25 cm in diameter, of T. camphoratus and Grewia flava show great promise as cattle fattening feed. Fuel: Provides high quality fuelwood. Timber: Used for hut-building, making of general utensils and hunting weaponry e.g. bows and fishing rods, rungus or knobkerries are made from the rootstock. The wood is termite resistant. Essential oil: The essential oil extracted from leaves is the safest and most effective natural product for protection from mosquitoes, midges and many kinds of biting insects. The product, containing only 0.3% of the active ingredient, is effective for 6-10 hours, therefore guaranteeing protection even for an entire night. Medicine: Several African tribes use this plant as a treatment for bronchitis and chest ailments, for chilblains, tired legs and sore feet. A tea made of the crushed leaf is taken infused in one cup of boiling water for stomach ailments, asthma, over-anxiety and heartburn. Tarchonanthus essential oil has also been found to have excellent cosmetic and dermatological properties specially as soothing, anti-irritation, decongestant remedy for sensitive skins, dermatitis, sunburns, bedsores, etc. The Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania carry leaves of the plant as a deodorant.

Services: Erosion control: The camphor bush can be used for dune fixation and prevention of soil erosion by wind and water. Shade or shelter: It is wind firm and can act as a windbreak for low winds. Its resistance to fire is remarkable, little mortality is seen in T. camphoratus even after three burnings, making it ideal for firebreaks. Reclamation: The camphor tree is drought and fire resistant and can be used to reclaim drylands. Soil improver: The slow decomposing leaves improve soil fertility. Ornamental: T. camphoratus is a popular indigenous ornamental in South Africa, specially suited for bonsai with its aggressive root system. Boundary or barrier or support: The wood is used in fencing. 

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