Forum—Invasive and Toxic Camphor Laurel: A Potential Threat to Native Australian Birds

Abstract

Camphor Laurel Cinnamomum camphora is a toxic, alien invasive plant in coastal eastern Australia. Its toxicity profile is reviewed, and observations on its impacts on domestic livestock and wild birds are presented. Given its apparent effects on individual birds and possibly on populations, it would be prudent to eradicate it by a phasing-out process, with phasing in of replacement stands of locally indigenous, fruiting rainforest plants. There is an urgent need for relevant research, and for consideration of Camphor Laurel invasion as potentially a threatening process for native birds.