Camphor bush, Hottentot tobacco
Tarchonanthus camphoratus

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A dense shrub or small tree. It grows 8 m tall. The trunk is 40 cm across. The bark is grey and cracked. The twigs have a felted covering. The leaf blade varies in size. It can be 2-8 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. It is narrowly oval. There is a white covering under the leaves. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. There are many flower heads in groups at the ends of branches.

It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It grows along rivers. It can be on Kalahari sand or on granite outcrops. It grows in hot arid places. It is often in places with a marked dry season. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 300-350 mm. It grows on dry sandy soils. It can grow on salty soils. It can tolerate salty soils. It is drought tolerant. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Arabia, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Middle East, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The camphor flavoured leaves are chewed. They are also used for tea. The roots are eaten in tonic soups.

Edible parts

Leaves chewed, leaves - tea, spice

How it is grown

It can be cut back and will re-grow.

Its other names

Local names

Kifungu, Korumbati, Ligcebe lelimhlophe, Mhugwe, Mpavu

Synonyms

Tarchonanthus abyssinicus Sch. Bip.; Tarchonanthus angustissimus DC.; Tarchonanthus litakunensis DC.; Tarchonanthus minor Less.; Tarchonanthus procerus Salisb.; Tarchonanthus obovatus DC.;