It is native to South and East Asia (Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam).

The species name parthenoxylon derives from parthenos xylon (Greek: παρθενός ξύλον), meaning "virgin wood".

[12] Camphora parthenoxylon ranges from Nepal and the eastern Himalayas through Assam, Indochina, southern China, Hainan, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and the Lesser Sunda Islands.

[1] It grows in primary and secondary lowland and montane tropical and subtropical humid forests, from sea level to 2,000 metres elevation.

[1] In Borneo it is found in Sarawak (Kuching and Lundu districts), Sabah (Keningau, Kota Belud, Lahad Datu, Pensiangan, Ranau, Sandakan, Tambunan, Tawau, and Tenom districts), and East Kalimantan, where it grows in lowland and montane rain forest to 2000 metres elevation, and is often found in secondary vegetation.

[13] The tree is of special concern, as it is being harvested at a high rate to obtain safrole, a precursor to the pesticide synergist piperonyl butoxide, the flavorant and fragrance piperonal, and the psychoactive drug MDMA.