Camphor Tree is a location and home of Totoro and his smaller totoro.
Story
At the beginning of the film, Mei falls into the tree's roots and enters an opening, where Totoro is sleeping. She becomes curious and sits on his belly, laughing at him as he sneezes in his sleep. When he wakes up, she asks him what his name is, and he yawns, unable to communicate. The sound of his yawn sounds like, 'Totoro', so Mei decides to call him that. Eventually, she falls asleep on Totoro's belly, and when she wakes up, she's found in by Satsuki in an opening near the tree.
Introduction
Camphor tree grows natively in China and Japan where it is used for oils and timber. In 1875 camphor tree was introduced into Florida and established in plantations for camphor production, although it was not profitable for growers.
In Florida, camphor tree is able to rapidly displace native trees and infest forests and other natural areas. This invasive species displaces native plants due to its fast growth habit and the ability to produce large amounts of seed. This seed is readily eaten and spread by birds. Nurseries and garden centers sell camphor tree as a popular ornamental plant which aids in its dispersal in landscaped areas. Camphor tree is not on the Federal or State Noxious Weed List; however it is listed as a Category I species on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) list of invasive species. FLEPPC considers Category I plants invasive exotic species that displace or disrupt native plant communities, alter the ecology of the environment, or hybridize with native species.
Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora)