View source for Camellia

{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants in the tea family}}
{{Other uses}}

{{Automatic taxobox
| image = Camellia sasanqua1JAM343.jpg
| image_caption = ''[[Camellia sasanqua]]'' is used as a garden plant; its leaves are used for tea, and its seeds for oil.
| taxon = Camellia
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = About 187, see [[#Species|text]]
| type_species = ''[[Camellia japonica ]]''
| synonyms = * ''Calpandria'' <small>Blume (1825)</small>
* ''Camelliastrum'' <small>Nakai (1940)</small>
* ''Dankia'' <small>Gagnep. (1939)</small>
* ''Desmitus'' <small>Raf. (1838)</small>
* ''Drupifera'' <small>Raf. (1838)</small>
* ''Piquetia'' <small>Hallier f. (1921)</small>
* ''Salceda'' <small>Blanco (1845)</small>
* ''Sasanqua'' <small>Nees (1834)</small>
* ''Stereocarpus'' <small>Hallier f. (1921)</small>
* ''Thea'' <small>L. (1753)</small>
* ''Theaphylla'' <small>Raf. (1830), nom. superfl.</small>
* ''Theopsis'' <small>Nakai (1940)</small>
* ''Tsia'' <small>Adans. (1763), nom. superfl.</small>
* ''Tsubaki'' <small>Adans. (1763), nom. superfl.</small>
* ''Yunnanea'' <small>Hu (1956)</small>
| synonyms_ref = <ref name="POWO"/>
}}

'''''Camellia''''' (pronounced {{IPAc-en|k|ə|.|'|m|ɛ|.|l|i|.|ə}}<ref>{{OED|camellia}}</ref> or {{IPAc-en|k|ə|.|'|m|iː|.|l|i|.|ə}}<ref>{{MW|camellia}}</ref>) is a [[genus]] of flowering plants in the family [[Theaceae]].<ref name="POWO"/> They are found in tropical and subtropical areas in [[East Asia|eastern]] and [[South Asia|southern Asia]], from the [[Himalayas]] east to [[Japan]] and [[Indonesia]]. There are more than 220 described [[species]];<ref name="POWO"/> almost all are found in southern China and Indochina.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Hsuan Keng<!-- xct nm --> |title=The Genus ''Camellia'' (Theaceae) in Malesia |url=https://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg/research/publications/gardens-bulletin-singapore/-/media/sbg/gardens-bulletin/4-4-42-1-2-06-y1989-v42-p1-p2-gbs-pg-65.pdf |journal=Gardens' Bulletin Singapore |date=March 1990 |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=65–69 }}</ref>{{rp|66}} Camellias are popular ornamental, tea, and woody-oil plants cultivated worldwide for centuries. Over 26,000 cultivars, with more than 51,000 cultivar names, including synonyms, have been registered or published.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Yanan |last2=Zhuang |first2=Huifu |last3=Shen |first3=Yunguang |last4=Wang |first4=Yuhua |last5=Wang |first5=Zhonglang |date=2021-01-19 |title=The Dataset of Camellia Cultivars Names in the World |journal=Biodiversity Data Journal |volume=9 |article-number=e61646 |doi=10.3897/BDJ.9.e61646 |issn=1314-2828 |pmc=7838149 |pmid=33519266 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=International Camellia Register-Camellia, Cultivars, Species, Photos |url=https://camellia.iflora.cn/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=camellia.iflora.cn}}</ref>

The leaves of ''[[Camellia sinensis|C.&nbsp;sinensis]]'' are processed to create [[tea]], and so are of particular economic importance in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent, with the processed leaves widely sold and consumed globally. The ornamental ''[[Camellia japonica|C.&nbsp;japonica]]'', ''[[Camellia sasanqua|C.&nbsp;sasanqua]]'' and their [[Hybrid (biology)#Hybrid plants|hybrid]]s are the source of hundreds of garden [[cultivar]]s. ''[[Camellia oleifera|C.&nbsp;oleifera]]'' produces [[tea seed oil]], used in cooking and cosmetics.

== Description ==
[[File:Teestrauch Detail.jpg|left|thumb|Leaves of ''[[Camellia sinensis]]'', the tea plant]]

Camellias are [[evergreen]] [[shrubs]] or small [[tree]]s up to {{cvt|20|m|ft|0}} tall. Their leaves are alternately arranged, simple, thick, serrated, and usually glossy.

=== Flowers and fruit ===
Their flowers are usually large and conspicuous, one to {{cvt|12|cm|0}} in diameter, with five to nine petals in naturally occurring species of camellias. The colors of the flowers vary from white through pink colors to red; truly yellow flowers are found only in South China and Vietnam. Tea varieties are always white-flowered. Camellia flowers throughout the genus are characterized by a dense bouquet of conspicuous yellow stamens, often contrasting with the petal colors.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mair|first1=Victor H.|author-link1=Victor H. Mair|last2=Hoh|first2=Erling|title=The True History of Tea|year=2009|publisher=Thames & Hudson|isbn=978-0-500-25146-1}}</ref>{{page needed|date=June 2024}}<ref>The International Camellia Society. ''[http://www.hortic.com/ics/camellia-flowers Flowers of Camellias]''.</ref> Some research has shown that the colour of petals in some species' flowers indicate their size and how they are [[pollination|pollinated]]; species with red or yellow flowers are pollinated by [[sunbird]]s whereas species with white flowers are smaller in diameter and are pollinated by bees.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Abe |first1=Harue |last2=Miura |first2=Hiroki |last3=Katayama |first3=Rui |date=2023 |title=A Comprehensive Comparison of Flower Morphology in the Genus ''Camellia'', with a Focus on the Section ''Camellia'' |url=https://tohoku.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/2000007/files/JIFS%20Vol20%20-%20P2-P9%20Symposium%20mini%20review%20P2-9.pdf |journal=Journal of Integrated Field Science |publisher=Field Science Center, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University |volume=20 |pages=2–9 }}</ref>{{rp|3-4}}

The [[fruit]] of camellia plants is a dry [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]], sometimes subdivided into up to five compartments. Each compartment contains up to eight [[seed]]s.

== Ecology ==
Camellia plants are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some ''[[Lepidoptera]]'' species. Leaves of ''[[Camellia japonica]]'' are susceptible to the [[fungus|fungal]] [[Parasitism|parasite]] ''Mycelia sterile'' (see [[#Use by humans|below]]{{Broken anchor|date=2025-03-30|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=#Use by humans|reason= The anchor (Use by humans) [[Special:Diff/1280647033|has been deleted]].|diff_id=1280647033}} for the significance), ''[[Sterile fungi|mycelia sterile PF1022]]'' produces a [[metabolite]] named PF1022A that is used to produce [[emodepside]], an [[anthelmintic]] [[drug]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Harder|first1=A.|last2=Holden–Dye|first2=L.|last3=Walker|first3=R.|last4=Wunderlich|first4=F.|date=2005|title=Mechanisms of action of emodepside|journal=Parasitology Research|volume=97|issue=Supplement 1|pages=S1–S10|doi=10.1007/s00436-005-1438-z|pmid=16228263 }}</ref>

Due to [[habitat destruction]], several camellias have become rare in their natural range. One of these is the aforementioned ''C.&nbsp;reticulata'', grown commercially in thousands for horticulture and oil production but rare enough in its natural range to be considered a [[threatened species]].

=== Growth ===
The various species of camellia plants are generally well-adapted to [[acid soil]]s rich in [[humus]], and most species do not grow well on [[chalk]]y soil or other [[calcium]]-rich soils. Most species of camellias also require a large amount of water, either from natural rainfall or from [[irrigation]], and the plants will not tolerate [[drought]]s. However, some of the more unusual camellias &ndash; typically species from [[karst]] soils in [[Vietnam]] &ndash; can grow without too much water.

Camellia plants are generally considered slow growing. This slow growth rate makes them well-suited for growing in pots or tubs, and they don't require frequent pruning. While some varieties may grow more quickly than others, particularly when young, the overall growth rate of most camellias is relatively slow. Typically, they will grow about {{cvt|30|cm|0}} per year until mature &ndash; however, this varies depending on their variety and geographical location.

== History and use ==
[[File:Camellia reticulata RHS.jpeg|thumb|right|''[[Camellia reticulata]]'' is rare in the wild but has been cultivated for hundreds of years.]]
''[[Camellia sinensis]]'', the tea plant, is of major commercial importance because [[tea]] is made from its leaves. The species ''C.&nbsp;sinensis'' is the product of many generations of [[selective breeding]] to bring out desirable qualities for tea. However, many other camellias can be used to produce a similar beverage. For example, tea made from ''C.&nbsp;sasanqua'' leaves is popular in some parts of Japan.

Seeds of ''C.&nbsp;oleifera'', ''C.&nbsp;japonica'', and, to a lesser extent, other species such as ''C.&nbsp;crapnelliana'', ''C.&nbsp;reticulata'', ''C.&nbsp;sasanqua'' and ''C.&nbsp;sinensis'' as well are pressed to make [[tea seed oil]], a sweet seasoning and cooking oil special to East Asia. It is the most important [[cooking oil]] for hundreds of millions of people, particularly in southern China.

Camellia oil is commonly used to clean and protect the blades of cutting instruments.

Camellia oil pressed from seeds of ''C.&nbsp;japonica'', also called tsubaki oil or {{Nihongo|2=椿油|3=tsubaki-abura}} in Japanese, has been traditionally used in Japan for hair care.<ref>How to Use Japanese Camellia (Tsubaki) Oil. ''[http://wawaza.com/pages/How-to-Use-Japanese-Camellia-%28Tsubaki%29-Oil.html]''.</ref> ''C.&nbsp;japonica'' plant is used to prepare traditional antiinflammatory medicines.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Majumder|first1=Soumya|last2=Ghosh|first2=Arindam|last3=Bhattacharya|first3=Malay|date=2020-08-27|title=Natural anti-inflammatory terpenoids in Camellia japonica leaf and probable biosynthesis pathways of the metabolome|journal=Bulletin of the National Research Centre|volume=44|issue=1|page=141|doi=10.1186/s42269-020-00397-7|issn=2522-8307|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Garden history ===
Camellias were cultivated in the gardens of China for centuries before they were seen in Europe. The German botanist [[Engelbert Kaempfer]] reported<ref>Kaemfer, ''Amoenitates exoticae'', 1712, noted by Alice M. Coats, ''Garden Shrubs and Their Histories'' (1964) 1992, ''s.v.'' "Camellia".</ref> that the "Japan Rose", as he called it, grew wild in woodland and hedgerow, but that many superior varieties had been selected for gardens. Europeans' earliest views of camellias must have been their representations in Chinese painted wallpapers, where they were often represented growing in porcelain pots.

The first living camellias seen in England were a single red and a single white, grown and flowered in his garden at [[Thorndon Hall]], Essex, by [[Robert Petre, 8th Baron Petre|Robert James, Lord Petre]], among the keenest gardeners of his generation, in 1739. His gardener [[James Gordon (botanist)|James Gordon]] was the first to introduce camellias to commerce, from the nurseries he established after Lord Petre's untimely death in 1743, at Mile End, Essex, near London.<ref>Coats (1964) 1992.</ref>

With the expansion of the [[British tea culture|tea trade]] in the later 18th century, new varieties began to be seen in England, imported through the [[British East India Company]]. The Company's John Slater was responsible for the first of the new camellias, double ones, in white and a striped red, imported in 1792. Further camellias imported in the East Indiamen were associated with the patrons whose gardeners grew them:  a double red for Sir Robert Preston in 1794 and the pale pink named "Lady Hume's Blush" for Amelia, the lady of [[Sir Abraham Hume, 2nd Baronet|Sir Abraham Hume]] of [[Wormleybury]], Hertfordshire (1806). The camellia was imported from England to America in 1797 when [[John Stevens (inventor, born 1749)|Colonel John Stevens]] brought the flower as part of an effort to grow attractions within [[Elysian Fields, Hoboken, New Jersey|Elysian Fields]] in [[Hoboken, New Jersey|Hoboken]], [[New Jersey]].<ref name="Curtis' Botanical Magazine">The New York Botanical Garden, ''Curtis' Botanical Magazine, Volume X'' Bronx, New York: The New York Botanical Garden, 1797</ref> By 1819, twenty-five camellias had bloomed in England; that year the first monograph appeared, Samuel Curtis's, ''A Monograph on the Genus Camellia'', whose five handsome folio colored illustrations have usually been removed from the slender text and framed. Though they did not flower for over a decade, camellias that set seed rewarded their growers with a wealth of new varieties. By the 1840s, the camellia was at the height of its fashion as ''the'' luxury flower. The Parisian courtesan [[Marie Duplessis]], who died young in 1847, inspired Dumas' ''[[The Lady of the Camellias|La Dame aux camélias]]'' and Verdi's ''[[La Traviata]]''.

The fashionable imbricated formality of prized camellias was an element in their decline, replaced by the new hothouse [[orchid]]. Their revival after World War I as woodland shrubs for mild climates has been paralleled by the rise in popularity of ''[[Camellia sasanqua]]''.

===Modern cultivars===
The tea camellia, ''C.&nbsp;sinensis'', has been selected by [[Camellia sinensis#Cultivars|many commercial cultivars]] for the taste of its leaves once processed into tea leaves.

Today, camellias are grown as ornamental plants for their flowers; about 3,000 [[cultivar]]s and [[Hybrid plant|hybrids]] have been selected, many with [[double flower|double]] or semi-double flowers. ''C.&nbsp;japonica'' is the most prominent species in cultivation, with over 2,000 named cultivars. Next are ''C.&nbsp;reticulata'' with over 400 named cultivars, and ''C.&nbsp;sasanqua'' with over 300 named cultivars. Popular hybrids include ''[[Camellia × hiemalis|C. × hiemalis]]'' (''C.&nbsp;japonica'' × ''C.&nbsp;sasanqua'') and ''[[Camellia × williamsii|C. × williamsii]]'' (''C.&nbsp;japonica'' × ''[[Camellia saluenensis|C.&nbsp;saluenensis]]''). Some varieties can grow considerably, up to {{val|100|ul=m²}}, though more compact cultivars are available. They are frequently planted in woodland settings alongside other [[calcifuges]], such as [[rhododendrons]]. They are particularly associated with areas of high soil acidity, such as Cornwall and Devon in the UK. They are highly valued for their very early flowering, often among the first flowers to appear in the late winter. Late [[frost]]s can damage the flower buds, resulting in misshapen flowers.<ref>{{cite book|title=RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants|year=2008|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=978-1-4053-3296-5|page=1136}}</ref>

There is a great variety of flower forms:

* single (flat, bowl- or cup-shaped)
* semi-double (rows of large outer petals, with the centre comprising mixed petals and stamens)
* double:
** paeony form (convex mass of irregular petals and petaloids with hidden stamens)
** anemone form (one or more rows of outer petals, with mixed petaloids and stamens in the centre)
** rose form (overlapping petals showing stamens in a concave centre when open)
** formal double (rows of overlapping petals with hidden stamens)

====AGM cultivars====
{{Main|List of Award of Garden Merit camellias}}
The following hybrid cultivars have gained the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]]:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name !! Parentage !! Height !! Spread !! Flower colour !! Flower type !! Ref.
|-
| Cornish Snow || ''cuspidata'' × ''saluenensis'' || 2.5 || 1.5 || white || single || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/93350/Camellia-Cornish-Snow-(cuspidata-%25C3%2597-saluenensis)/Details |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426014914/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/93350/camellia-cornish-snow-(cuspidata-%C3%97-saluenensis)/details |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |title=RHS Plant Selector Camellia 'Cornish Snow' (cuspidata × saluenensis) AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2020-04-17 }}</ref> 
|-
| Cornish Spring || ''cuspidata'' × ''japonica'' || 2.5 || 1.5 || pink || single || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/68764/Camellia-Cornish-Spring-(cuspidata-×-japonica)/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Camellia 'Cornish Spring' (cuspidata × japonica) AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref>
|-
| Francie L || || 8.0 || 8.0 || rose-pink || double || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/67935/Camellia-Francie-L/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Camellia 'Francie L' AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref>
|-
| Freedom Bell || × ''williamsii'' || 2.5 || 2.5 || red || semi-double || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/89783/Camellia-Freedom-Bell/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Camellia 'Freedom Bell' AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref> 
|-
| Inspiration || ''reticulata'' × ''saluenensis'' || 4.0 || 2.5 || rose-pink || semi-double || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/50008/Camellia-Inspiration-(reticulata-%25C3%2597-saluenensis)/Details |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426014236/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/50008/camellia-inspiration-(reticulata-%C3%97-saluenensis)/details |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |title=RHS Plant Selector Camellia 'Inspiration' (reticulata × saluenensis) AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2020-04-17 }}</ref> 
|-
| Leonard Messel || ''reticulata'' × × ''williamsii'' || 4.0 || 4.0 || rose-pink || semi-double || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/49261/Camellia-Leonard-Messel-(reticulata-%25C3%2597-(%25C3%2597-williamsii))/Details |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426014201/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/49261/camellia-leonard-messel-(reticulata-%C3%97-(%C3%97-williamsii))/details |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |title=RHS Plant Selector Camellia 'Leonard Messel' (reticulata × williamsii) AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2020-04-17 }}</ref> 
|-
| Royalty || ''japonica'' × ''reticulata'' || 1.0 || 1.0 || light red || semi-double || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/65680/Camellia-Royalty-(japonica-%25C3%2597-reticulata)/Details |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426070734/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/65680/camellia-royalty-(japonica-%C3%97-reticulata)/details |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |title=RHS Plant Selector Camellia 'Royalty' (japonica × reticulata) AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2020-04-17 }}</ref> 
|-
| Spring Festival || × ''williamsii'', ''cuspidata'' || 4.0 || 2.5 || pink || semi-double || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/92881/Camellia-Spring-Festival-(cuspidata-hybrid)/Details |title=RHS Plant Selector Camellia 'Spring Festival' (cuspidata hybrid) AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2013-04-29}}</ref>
|-
| Tom Knudsen || ''japonica'' × ''reticulata'' || 2.5 || 2.5 || deep red || double paeony || <ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/67050/Camellia-Tom-Knudsen-(japonica-%25C3%2597-reticulata)/Details |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426113619/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/67050/camellia-tom-knudsen-(japonica-%C3%97-reticulata)/details |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |title=RHS Plant Selector Camellia 'Tom Knudsen' (japonica × reticulata) AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk |access-date=2020-04-17 }}</ref> 
|-
| Tristrem Carlyon || ''reticulata'' || 4.0 || 2.5 || rose pink || double paeony || <ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/70663/Camellia-Tristrem-Carlyon-(reticulata-hybrid)/Details
| title = ''Camellia'' 'Tristrem Carlyon' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 12 April 2020}}</ref> 
|}
<gallery widths=200 heights=160>
File:Camellia x williamsii 'Brigadoon'.JPG|Simple-flowered ''Camellia × williamsii'' cv. 'Brigadoon'
File:Semi-double Camelia cultivar.jpg|Semi-double-flowered camellia cultivar
File:PinkCamelliaJaponica.jpg|Double-flowered camellia cultivar
File:Camellia hyb Yuri s Yellow Kalenderkopie.jpg|Double-flowered hybrid cv. 'Jury's Yellow'
</gallery>

== Taxonomy ==
The genus was named by [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]] after the Jesuit botanist [[Georg Joseph Kamel]], who worked in the Philippines and described one of its species (although Linnaeus did not refer to Kamel's account when discussing the genus).<ref name=Kroupa2015>{{cite journal |last=Kroupa |first=Sebestian |title=Ex epistulis Philippinensibus: Georg Joseph Kamel SJ (1661–1706) and His Correspondence Network |url=https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/263970 |date=November 2015 |journal=Centaurus |volume=57 |issue=4 |pages=229–259 |issn=1600-0498 |doi=10.1111/1600-0498.12099 |doi-access=free }}</ref>{{rp|246, 255}} In 2022 the genus was separated into 7 sections based on phylogenetic study on 161 species.<ref name="z504">{{cite journal | title=Molecular phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy position of 161 Camellia species in China | journal=Taiwania | date=2022 | volume=67 | issue=4 | doi=10.6165/tai.2022.67.560 | page= | author1=Zhen PANG | author2=Yi-Ling WANG | author3=Nitin MANTRI | author4=Yang WANG | author5=Xue-Jun HUA | author6=Yan-Ping QUAN | author7=Xuan ZHOU | author8=Zheng-Dong JIANG | author9=Zhe-Chen QI | author10=Hong-Fei LU }}</ref> Further studies demonstrated that section ''Oleifera'' and ''Paracamellia'' should be merged into section ''Paracamellia''.<ref name="o956">{{cite journal | last1=Qin | first1=Sheng-Yuan | last2=Chen | first2=Kai | last3=Zhang | first3=Wen-Ju | last4=Xiang | first4=Xiao-Guo | last5=Zuo | first5=Zheng-Yu | last6=Guo | first6=Cen | last7=Zhao | first7=Yao | last8=Li | first8=Lin-Feng | last9=Wang | first9=Yu-Guo | last10=Song | first10=Zhi-Ping | last11=Yang | first11=Ji | last12=Yang | first12=Xiao-Qiang | last13=Zhang | first13=Jian | last14=Jin | first14=Wei-Tao | last15=Wen | first15=Qiang | last16=Zhao | first16=Song-Zi | last17=Chen | first17=Jia-Kuan | last18=Li | first18=De-Zhu | last19=Rong | first19=Jun | title=Phylogenomic insights into the reticulate evolution of Camellia sect. Paracamellia Sealy (Theaceae) | journal=Journal of Systematics and Evolution | volume=62 | issue=1 | date=2024 | issn=1674-4918 | doi=10.1111/jse.12948 | pages=38–54| bibcode=2024JSyEv..62...38Q }}</ref> The following sections are currently recognized:
* [[Camellia sect. Camellia|Camellia]]
* [[Camellia sect. Chrysantha|Chrysantha]]
* [[Camellia sect. Longipedicellata|Longipedicellata]]
* [[Camellia sect. Longissima|Longissima]]
* [[Camellia sect. Paracamellia|Paracamellia]]
* [[Camellia sect. Thea|Thea]]
* [[Camellia sect. Tuberculata|Tuberculata]]

=== Species ===

''[[Plants of the World Online]]'' currently includes:<ref name="POWO">{{Cite web|url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:39017-1 |title=''Camellia'' L. |website=Plants of the World Online |date=2021 |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |access-date= 23 March 2021<!-- 1st access date frm page history -->}}</ref>

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
# ''[[Camellia albata]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia amplexicaulis]]'' <small>(Pit.) Cohen-Stuart</small>
# ''[[Camellia amplexifolia]]'' <small>Merr. & Chun</small>
# ''[[Camellia anlungensis]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia assimiloides]]'' <small>Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia aurea]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia azalea]]'' <small>C.F.Wei</small>
# ''[[Camellia brevistyla]]'' <small>(Hayata) Cohen-Stuart</small>
# ''[[Camellia bugiamapensis]]'' <small>Orel, Curry, Luu & Q.D.Nguyen</small>
# ''[[Camellia campanulata]]'' <small>Orel, Curry & Luu</small>
# ''[[Camellia candida]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia capitata]]'' <small>Orel, Curry & Luu</small>
# ''[[Camellia cattienensis]]'' <small>Orel</small>
# ''[[Camellia caudata]]'' <small>Wall.</small>
# ''[[Camellia chekiangoleosa]]'' <small>Hu</small>
# ''[[Camellia cherryana]]'' <small>Orel</small>
# ''[[Camellia chinmeiae]]'' <small>S.L.Lee & T.Y.A.Yang</small>
# ''[[Camellia chrysanthoides]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia concinna]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia connata]]'' <small>(Craib) Craib</small>
# ''[[Camellia corallina]]'' <small>(Gagnep.) Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia cordifolia]]'' <small>(F.P.Metcalf) Nakai</small>
# ''[[Camellia costata]]'' <small>S.Y.Hu & S.Y.Liang</small>
# ''[[Camellia costei]]'' <small>H.Lév.</small>
# ''[[Camellia crapnelliana]]'' <small>Tutcher</small> &ndash; Crapnell's camellia
# ''[[Camellia crassicolumna]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia crassipes]]'' <small>Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia crassiphylla]]'' <small>Ninh & Hakoda</small>
# ''[[Camellia cuongiana]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia cupiformis]]'' <small>T.L.Ming</small>
# ''[[Camellia curryana]]'' <small>Orel & Luu</small>
# ''[[Camellia cuspidata]]'' <small>(Kochs) Bean</small>
# ''[[Camellia dalatensis]]'' <small>V.D.Luong, Ninh & Hakoda</small>
# ''[[Camellia debaoensis]]'' <small>R.C.Hu & Y.Q.Liufu</small>
# ''[[Camellia decora]]'' <small>Orel, Curry & Luu</small>
# ''[[Camellia dilinhensis]]'' <small>Ninh & V.D.Luong</small>
# ''[[Camellia dongnaicensis]]'' <small>Orel</small>
# ''[[Camellia dormoyana]]'' <small>(Pierre ex Laness.) Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia drupifera]]'' <small>Lour.</small>
# ''[[Camellia duyana]]'' <small>Orel, Curry & Luu</small>
# ''[[Camellia edithae]]'' <small>Hance</small>
# ''[[Camellia elizabethae]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia elongata]]'' <small>(Rehder & E.H.Wilson) Rehder</small>
# ''[[Camellia erubescens]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia euphlebia]]'' <small>Merr. ex Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia euryoides]]'' <small>Lindl.</small>
# ''[[Camellia fangchengensis]]'' <small>S.Ye Liang & Y.C.Zhong</small>
# ''[[Camellia fansipanensis]]'' <small>J.M.H.Shaw, Wynn-Jones & V.D.Nguyen</small>
# ''[[Camellia fascicularis]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia flava]]'' <small>(Pit.) Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia flavida]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia fleuryi]]'' <small>(A.Chev.) Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia fluviatilis]]'' <small>Hand.-Mazz.</small>
# ''[[Camellia forrestii]]'' <small>(Diels) Cohen-Stuart</small>
# ''[[Camellia fraterna]]'' <small>Hance</small>
# ''[[Camellia furfuracea]]'' <small>(Merr.) Cohen-Stuart</small>
# ''[[Camellia gaudichaudii]]'' <small>(Gagnep.) Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia gilbertii]]'' <small>(A.Chev.) Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia glabricostata]]'' <small>T.L.Ming</small>
# ''[[Camellia gracilipes]]'' <small>Merr. ex Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia grandibracteata]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang, Y.J.Tan, F.L.Yu & P.S.Wang</small>
# ''[[Camellia granthamiana]]'' <small>Sealy</small> &ndash; Grantham's camellia
# ''[[Camellia grijsii]]'' <small>Hance</small>
# ''[[Camellia gymnogyna]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia harlandii]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia hatinhensis]]'' <small>V.D.Luong, Ninh & L.T.Nguyen</small>
# ''[[Camellia hekouensis]]'' <small>C.J.Wang & G.S.Fan</small>
# ''[[Camellia hiemalis]]'' <small>Nakai</small>
# ''[[Camellia honbaensis]]'' <small>Luu, Q.D.Nguyen & G.Tran</small>
# ''[[Camellia hongiaoensis]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia hongkongensis]]'' <small>Seem.</small>
# ''[[Camellia hsinpeiensis]]'' <small>S.S.Ying</small>
# ''[[Camellia huana]]'' <small>T.L.Ming & W.J.Zhang</small>
# ''[[Camellia ilicifolia]]'' <small>Y.K.Li</small>
# ''[[Camellia impressinervis]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang & S.Ye Liang</small>
# ''[[Camellia indochinensis]]'' <small>Merr.</small>
# ''[[Camellia ingens]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia insularis]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia × intermedia]]'' <small>(Tuyama) Nagam.</small>
# ''[[Camellia inusitata]]'' <small>Orel, Curry & Luu</small>
# ''[[Camellia japonica]]'' <small>L.</small> &ndash; East Asian camellia<br />synonym ''[[Camellia rusticana]]'' &ndash; snow camellia
# ''[[Camellia kissii]]'' <small>Wall.</small>
# ''[[Camellia krempfii]]'' <small>(Gagnep.) Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia kwangsiensis]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia lanceolata]]'' <small>(Blume) Seem.</small>
# ''[[Camellia langbianensis]]'' <small>(Gagnep.) P.H.Hô</small>
# ''[[Camellia laotica]]'' <small>(Gagnep.) T.L.Ming</small>
# ''[[Camellia lawii]]'' <small>Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia leptophylla]]'' <small>S.Ye Liang ex Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia ligustrina]]'' <small>Orel, Curry & Luu</small>
# ''[[Camellia longicalyx]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia longii]]'' <small>Orel & Luu</small>
# ''[[Camellia longipedicellata]]'' <small>(Hu) Hung T.Chang & D.Fang</small>
# ''[[Camellia longissima]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang & S.Ye Liang</small>
# ''[[Camellia lucii]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia lutchuensis]]'' <small>T.Itô</small>
# ''[[Camellia luteocerata]]'' <small>Orel</small>
# ''[[Camellia luteoflora]]'' <small>Y.K.Li ex Hung T.Chang & F.A.Zeng</small>
# ''[[Camellia luteopallida]]'' <small>V.D.Luong, T.Q.T.Nguyen & Luu</small>
# ''[[Camellia luuana]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia maiana]]'' <small>Orel</small>
# ''[[Camellia mairei]]'' <small>(H.Lév.) Melch.</small>
# ''[[Camellia maoniushanensis]]'' <small>J.L.Liu & Q.Luo</small>
# ''[[Camellia megasepala]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang & Trin Ninh</small>
# ''[[Camellia melliana]]'' <small>Hand.-Mazz.</small>
# ''[[Camellia micrantha]]'' <small>S.Ye Liang & Y.C.Zhong</small>
# ''[[Camellia mileensis]]'' <small>T.L.Ming</small>
# ''[[Camellia mingii]]'' <small>S.X.Yang</small>
# ''[[Camellia minima]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia mollis]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang & S.X.Ren</small>
# ''[[Camellia montana]]'' <small>(Blanco) Hung T.Chang & S.X.Ren</small>
# ''[[Camellia murauchii]]'' <small>Ninh & Hakoda</small>
# ''[[Camellia namkadingensis]]'' <small>Soulad. & Tagane</small>
# ''[[Camellia nematodea]]'' <small>(Gagnep.) Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia nervosa]]'' <small>(Gagnep.) Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia oconoriana]]'' <small>Orel, Curry & Luu</small>
# ''[[Camellia oleifera]]'' <small>C.Abel</small> &ndash; oil-seed camellia, tea oil camellia
# ''[[Camellia pachyandra]]'' <small>Hu</small>
# ''[[Camellia parviflora]]'' <small>Merr. & Chun ex Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia parvimuricata]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia paucipunctata]]'' <small>(Merr. & Chun) Chun</small>
# ''[[Camellia petelotii]]'' <small>(Merr.) Sealy</small> '''synonyms:'''<br />''C. chrysantha'', ''[[Camellia nitidissima|C. nitidissima]]'' &ndash; yellow camellia
# ''[[Camellia philippinensis]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang & S.X.Ren</small>
# ''[[Camellia pilosperma]]'' <small>S.Yun Liang</small>
# ''[[Camellia pingguoensis]]'' <small>D.Fang</small>
# ''[[Camellia piquetiana]]'' <small>(Pierre) Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia pitardii]]'' <small>Cohen-Stuart</small>
# ''[[Camellia pleurocarpa]]'' <small>(Gagnep.) Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia polyodonta]]'' <small>F.C.How ex Hu</small>
# ''[[Camellia psilocarpa]]'' <small>X.G.Shi & C.X.Ye</small>
# ''[[Camellia ptilophylla]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia pubicosta]]'' <small>Merr.</small>
# ''[[Camellia pubifurfuracea]]'' <small>Y.C.Zhong</small>
# ''[[Camellia pubipetala]]'' <small>Y.Wan & S.Z.Huang</small>
# ''[[Camellia pukhangensis]]'' <small>N.D.Do, V.D.Luong, S.T.Hoang & T.H.Lê</small>
# ''[[Camellia punctata]]'' <small>(Kochs) Cohen-Stuart</small>
# ''[[Camellia pyriparva]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia pyxidiacea]]'' <small>Z.R.Xu, F.P.Chen & C.Y.Deng</small>
# ''[[Camellia quangcuongii]]'' <small>L.V.Dung, S.T. Hoang & Nhan</small>
# ''[[Camellia reflexa]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia renshanxiangiae]]'' <small>C.X.Ye & X.Q.Zheng</small>
# ''[[Camellia reticulata]]'' <small>Lindl.</small>
# ''[[Camellia rhytidocarpa]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang & S.Ye Liang</small>
# ''[[Camellia rosacea]]'' <small>Tagane, Soulad. & Yahara</small>
# ''[[Camellia rosiflora]]'' <small>Hook.</small>
# ''[[Camellia rosmannii]]'' <small>Ninh</small>
# ''[[Camellia rosthorniana]]'' <small>Hand.-Mazz.</small>
# ''[[Camellia rubriflora]]'' <small>Ninh & Hakoda</small>
# ''[[Camellia salicifolia]]'' <small>Champ.</small>
# ''[[Camellia saluenensis]]'' <small>Stapf ex Bean</small>
# ''[[Camellia sasanqua]]'' <small>Thunb.</small>
# ''[[Camellia scabrosa]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia sealyana]]'' <small>T.L.Ming</small>
# ''[[Camellia semiserrata]]'' <small>C.W.Chi</small>
# ''[[Camellia septempetala]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang & L.L.Qi</small>
# ''[[Camellia siangensis]]'' <small>T.K.Paul & M.P.Nayar</small>
# ''[[Camellia sinensis]]'' <small>(L.) Kuntze</small> – tea plant
# ''[[Camellia sonthaiensis]]'' <small>Luu, V.D.Luong, Q.D.Nguyen & T.Q.T.Nguyen</small>
# ''[[Camellia stuartiana]]'' <small>Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia subintegra]]'' <small>P.C.Huang</small>
# ''[[Camellia synaptica]]'' <small>Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia szechuanensis]]'' <small>C.W.Chi</small>
# ''[[Camellia szemaoensis]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang</small>
# ''[[Camellia tachangensis]]'' <small>F.S.Zhang</small>
# ''[[Camellia tadungensis]]'' <small>Orel, Curry & Luu</small>
# ''[[Camellia taliensis]]'' <small>(W.W.Sm.) Melch.</small> – also used to make tea like ''C. sinensis''
# ''[[Camellia tenii]]'' <small>Sealy</small>
# ''[[Camellia thailandica]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang & S.X.Ren</small>
# ''[[Camellia thanxaensa]]'' <small>Hakoda & Kirino</small>
# ''[[Camellia tienyenensis]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia tomentosa]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia tonkinensis]]'' <small>(Pit.) Cohen-Stuart</small>
# ''[[Camellia transarisanensis]]'' <small>(Hayata) Cohen-Stuart</small>
# ''[[Camellia trichoclada]]'' <small>(Rehder) S.S.Chien</small>
# ''[[Camellia tsaii]]'' <small>Hu</small>
# ''[[Camellia tsingpienensis]]'' <small>Hu</small>
# ''[[Camellia tuberculata]]'' <small>S.S.Chien</small>
# ''[[Camellia tuyenquangensis]]'' <small>V.D.Luong, Le & Ninh</small>
# ''[[Camellia uraku]]'' <small>Kitam.</small>
# ''[[Camellia villicarpa]]'' <small>S.S.Chien</small>
# ''[[Camellia viridicalyx]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang & S.Ye Liang</small>
# ''[[Camellia viscosa]]'' <small>Orel & Curry</small>
# ''[[Camellia vuquangensis]]'' <small>V.D.Luong, Ninh & L.T.Nguyen</small>
# ''[[Camellia wardii]]'' <small>Kobuski</small>
# ''[[Camellia xanthochroma]]'' <small>K.M.Feng & L.S.Xie</small>
# ''[[Camellia yokdonensis]]'' <small>Dung bis & Hakoda</small>
# ''[[Camellia yunkiangica]]'' <small>Hung T.Chang, H.S.Wang & B.H.Chen</small>
# ''[[Camellia yunnanensis]]'' <small>(Pit. ex Diels) Cohen-Stuart</small>
{{Div col end}}

<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Camellia fraterna 2006-05-03 020.jpg|''Camellia fraterna''
File:MG 5457.jpg|Flower buds of an unspecified camellia
File:Camellia fruit.JPG|Fruits of an unspecified camellia
File:Camellia japonica MHNT.BOT.2010.13.3.jpg|''Camellia japonica'' - [[MHNT]]
File:杜鵑葉山茶 Camellia azalea 20221123112737 02.jpg|''[[Camellia azalea]]''
File:金花茶 Camellia petelotii 20221114215806 03.jpg|''[[Camellia petelotii]]''
File:Camellia × williamsii 'Jury's Yellow'. 25-03-2024 (d.j.b.).jpg|Flower bud
</gallery>

=== Fossil record ===
The earliest [[fossil]] record of ''Camellia'' are the leaves of †''C.&nbsp;abensis'' from the upper [[Eocene]] of [[Japan]], †''C.&nbsp;abchasica'' from the lower [[Oligocene]] of [[Bulgaria]] and †''C.&nbsp;multiforma'' from the lower [[Oligocene]] of [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[United States]].<ref>Journal of Plant Research, September 2016, Volume 129, Issue 5, pp 823–831, Camellia nanningensis sp. nov.: the earliest fossil wood record of the genus Camellia (Theaceae) from East Asia by Lu-Liang Huang, Jian-Hua Jin, Cheng Quan and Alexei A.</ref>

==Cultural significance==
[[File:New Zealand Suffragette.jpg|thumb|upright|Portrait of a New Zealand [[suffragette]], {{Circa|1880}}. The sitter wears a white camellia, symbolic of support for advancing women's rights.]]

The Camellia family of plants in popular culture. 

* The following cities are nicknamed the "Camellia City" of each state: [[Greenville, Alabama]]; [[Sacramento, California]]; [[Fort Walton Beach, Florida]]; [[Slidell, Louisiana]]; [[McComb, Mississippi]]; and [[Newberg, Oregon]]. Meanwhile, [[Thomson, Georgia]], is nicknamed the "Camellia City of the South".
* The camellia is the [[List of U.S. state flowers|state flower]] of [[Alabama]].<ref>{{cite web |title= State Flower of Alabama |work= Official Symbols and Emblems of Alabama |publisher= Alabama Department of Archives and History |date= February 6, 2014 |url= http://www.archives.state.al.us/emblems/st_flowe.html |access-date= 2019-05-07 |archive-date= 2012-07-28 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120728100503/http://www.archives.state.al.us/emblems/st_flowe.html }}</ref>
* A postseason college football [[bowl game]] introduced in 2014 in [[Montgomery, Alabama]], was first known as the [[Camellia Bowl (2014–present)|Camellia Bowl]].
* [[Alexandre Dumas fils]] wrote the novel and stage adaptation ''[[The Lady of the Camellias]]'', wherein the flower is a symbol of a courtesan's sexual availability. 
* [[Augusta National Golf Club]]'s 10th hole is named "Camellia", one of many references to the plant nursery originally on the site of the course. 
* [[Rabindranath Tagore]] wrote a poem titled "Camellia" about a youth's longing for a young woman he sees on the train.
* In the book ''[[To Kill a Mockingbird]]'', Jem destroys Mrs. Dubose's camellia bushes after she insults his family, yet he later receives a camellia bud from the dying woman.
* A white camellia flower is an iconic symbol of [[Chanel]] [[haute couture]], a tradition started by [[Coco Chanel]] herself, who identified with the heroine of Dumas's work.
* Camellias have major significance in the [[Akira Kurosawa]] film ''[[Sanjuro]]'', likely due to their association with the concept of "a noble death" in samurai culture.
* White camellias are a symbol of the women's [[suffrage]] movement in New Zealand and appear on the country's [[New Zealand ten-dollar note|ten-dollar note]].
* The [[Knights of the White Camelia]] was an organization similar to the [[Ku Klux Klan]].
* [[Temple City, California]]'s slogan since 1944 has been "Temple City, Home of Camellias", and the city has become well-known for its Camellia Festival.
* In Brazil, the camellia was a symbol of [[abolitionism|abolitionist movement]] during the Imperial Age. It was common practice for abolitionists to plant camellias in solidarity.<ref>{{cite web |title = Camellia: The "Winter's Rose" |author=Toni Boornazian |publisher= Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association |date=November 23, 2020 |url= https://www.spnanyc.org/camellia-the-winters-rose/ |access-date= 2022-08-10}}</ref>
* An Argentinian military march is called "[[Avenida de las Camelias]]".

==See also==
{{Portal |Alabama}}
* [[List of Award of Garden Merit camellias]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* F. Camangi, A. Stefani, T. Bracci, A. Minnocci, L. Sebastiani, A. Lippi, G. Cattolica, A.M. Santoro: ''Antiche camelie della Lucchesia (Storia, Botanico, Cultura, agronomia novità scientifiche e curiosità; [[Orto Botanico Comunale di Lucca]])'' {{In lang|it}}. Edition ETS; [[Lucca]], 2012..

==External links==
{{Wikispecies}}
{{Commons category|Camellia}}
* [http://internationalcamellia.org/ The International Camellia Society]
* [http://www.camellias-acs.org/ The American Camellia Society]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070222125554/http://www.southeasterncamellias.com/ The Southeastern Camellia Society]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080112145926/http://www.hct.zaq.ne.jp/kishikawa/ Website with many Camellia illustrations from European and Japanese Camellia Books]
* [http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/bibb/first-public-camellia-show First Public Camellia Show] historical marker
* [https://friendsofwollatonpark.org.uk/wollaton-hall/formal-garden/camellia-house/ Camellia House, Wollaton Park]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q212815}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Camellia| ]]
[[Category:Ericales genera]]
[[Category:Symbols of Alabama]]