EXHIBIT 23.6

         CONSENT OF MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

We hereby consent to the use of our opinion letter to the Board of Directors of
Paragon Group, Inc. ("Paragon") included as Annex II-B to the Joint Proxy
Statement of Camden Property Trust ("Camden") and Paragon and the Prospectus of
Camden which form a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Camden
being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to the references
therein to such opinion under the captions "Summary" and "The Merger." In giving
such consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose
consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder, nor do we thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part
of such Registration Statement within the meaning of the term "experts" as used
in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

                                     MERRILL, LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
                                       INCORPORATED

                                     BY: /s/ KARIN A. FORD
                                             Karin A. Ford