Ravintsara, also known as the Madagascar camphor tree or Cinnamomum camphora, belongs to the Lauraceae family. It is a beautiful wild tree that can reach a height of 15 meters. It naturally grows in the humid regions of Madagascar, as well as on the islands of La Réunion and Mauritius.
Ravintsara was mentioned by Flacourt and is now cultivated in extensive plantations in Madagascar. Its Malagasy name, which means "the good leaf," reflects the plant's traditional local use for treating various ailments.
The persistent leaves of ravintsara are alternate, lanceolate, and measure between 3 and 10 cm in length, typical of the Lauraceae family. Small yellow or white flowers appear in October and November in Madagascar, grouped at the leaf axils. Ravintsara fruits are small berries that ripen between April and May. They are divided into six segments, each containing a seed. A ravintsara tree can produce about 100,000 seeds per year.