Camellia

Camellia japonica, Camellia reticulata, Camellia sasanqua

[From left to right: Camellia japonica, Camellia reticulata, Camellia sasanqua]
(Photos by Hatel Patel)

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View the Location on Campus

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Taxonomy _(1,4,5)

Classification: Angiosperm, dicot
Family: Theaceae
Common name: Camellia, Japonicas (Camellia japonica); Sasanqua camellia (Camellia sasanqua)
Varieties: Yuletide (Camellia sasanqua)

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General Information _(1,2,3,4,5)

Region of Origin: Japan and China
USDA Plants Hardiness Zones: 6-9 (C. japonica), 8-10 (C. reticulata), 7-9 (C. sasanqua)
Growth Habit: Shrub

• Size: 20 feet tall (C. japonica), 8-10 feet (C. reticulata), 4-15 feet (C. sasanqua)
• Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
• Flowering: Late winter to early spring (C. japonica), October-December (C. reticulata), fall to early winter (C. sasanqua)
• Fruiting:

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Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves _(3,4,5,6)

• Arrangement: Alternate
• Simple/Compound: Simple
• Shape: Ovate to elliptic
• Other: 2-4 inches long (C. japonica); 4 inches long and serrate (C. reticulata); 1-3 inches long, pubescent, roundly toothed (C. sasanqua)

[From left to right: Camellia japonica, Camellia reticulata, Camellia sasanqua]
(Photos by Hatel Patel)

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Stem/Bark ₍₆₎

• Color: Brown
• Texture: Black lenticels (C. japonica); Pubescent (C. sasanqua)

[From left to right: Camellia japonica, Camellia reticulata, Camellia sasanqua]
(Photos by Hatel Patel)

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Flower _(1,2,4,5)

• Perfect/Imperfect: 
• Color: White, pink, red (C. japonica); crimson red (C. reticulata); bright red (C. sasanqua)
• Size: 2-5 inches (C. japonica), 7 inches (C. reticulata), 1.5-4 inches (C. sasanqua)

[From left to right: Camellia japonica, Camellia reticulata]
(Photos by Hatel Patel)

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Fruit _(2,4,6)

• Fruit type: Dry, woody capsule
• Size: 1 inch
• Color: Brown

[From left to right: Camellia japonica, Camellia sasanqua]
(Photos by Hatel Patel)

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Horticultural Information _(1,4,5)

• Light: Partial shade 
• Moisture:
• Soil type:
• pH: Acidic
• Maintenance: Easy to care for
• Landscape Uses: Borders, formation hedges, accents, around houses, ground cover

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Interesting Facts _(1,4,5,7)

• This genus was named for George Kamel, a Jesuit missionary who traveled to Asia and studied the flora of the Philippines.
• Camellias represent longevity and faithfulness. 
• Camellia reticulata has been cultivated since at least 900 A.D.. Today, there are over 100 named cultivars or varieties.
• Like the Japonicas, Sasanqua  have been selected and hybridized into dozens of forms that vary immensely in flower color and size and shape.
• The Japanese use the leaves of Sasanqua to make tea

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References

1) Christman, Steve. (1996). Camellia japonica. Retrieved from http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/cam_jap.cfm
2) Wyman, D. (1969). Shrubs and Vines for American Gardens. Toronto, Canada: The Macmillan Company
3) http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/shrubs/camellia_japonica.html
4) Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved from http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/d526/camellia-reticulata-dataohung-crimson-robe.aspx
5) Scheper, Jack. (1996). Camellia sasanqua. Retrieved from http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/came_sas.cfm
6) Dirr, M.A.(1990). Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses(4^th ed.). Champaign, Illinois: Stipes Publishing Company.
7) Monrovia. (2013). Yuletide Camellia. Retrieved from http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/672/yuletide-camellia.php. 

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