Because of the strong camphoraceous odor and its close relationship to
the camphor tree, the extraction and possible utilization of the oil
from this wild aromatic plant suggested itself. Accordingly, during the
summer of 1910, with the assistance of Mr. S. C. Hood, in charge of
the station at Orange City, Fla., a small quantity of the leaves and
twigs of this plant was distilled and a yield of about 0.2 per cent of
oil was obtained. But with proper conditions and precautions the yield
could no doubt be very materially increased, depending largely upon the
time at which the distillation is made, and also upon the proportion
of twigs and branches included. The above distillation was made late
in the summer, long after the blossoming period, the stage at which a
plant is usually most productive in volatile oils, and the material
also contained many branches and much woody matter.
The oil obtained was pale yellowish brown in color, with a strongly
aromatic and camphoraceous odor, and a persistent bitter, slightly
pungent, and camphorlike taste. The specific gravity at 25° C. was
0.9272; specific rotation, A_{D} = +22.4°; refraction, N_{D} 25° =
1.4695. The oil was soluble in one-third its volume of 80 per cent
alcohol, becoming faintly turbid upon the addition of five volumes or
more of alcohol.
[Illustration: +Fig. 6.+--A small branch of swamp bay.]