Rosy camphorweed is native to the southeastern United States, as well as Texas, Mexico, the West Indies, and part of
Central America. It was introduced into Hawaii, where it is considered a noxious weed.
They appear in wet savannas, flatwoods, pond edges, borrow pits, and ditches. There
are about 163 oils in this species, some of which contribute to its camphorlike odor.
Plants: This multiply branched perennial reaches
16-24" (40-60 cm) in size. Fine hairs impart a silvery-gray sheen to the leaves.
Leaves: Alternate, attached directly to stems (sessile), oblong to obovate to elliptic,
with shallowly toothed margins. They are up ¾-2½" (2-7 cm) × ⅛-1" (5-30 mm).
Flowers: Flowers are arranged in rounded corymbs
with clusters of small bright rose pink to purplish flowers. They appear in Jun-Jul.
Fruits: The fruit is a tiny achene tipped with a bristly pappus.
Medical: An herbal tea prepared from this species is
popular in some parts of the Caribbean. It is said to have stimulant, diuretic, and antispasmodic
properties; as well as serving as a menstrual stimulant. It is not listed in the PDR for Herbal Medicines.