| Camellia japonica | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Theaceae |
| Genus: | Camellia |
| Species: | C. japonica |
| Binomial name | |
| Camellia japonica | |
Camellia japonica, known ascommon camellia,[2] orJapanese camellia, is aspecies offlowering plant from the genusCamellia in thetea familyTheaceae. It is native toChina andJapan,[3] and grows naturally inforests at altitudes of around 300–1,100 metres (980–3,600 ft).[4]
There are thousands ofcultivars ofC. japonica, with many colors and forms offlowers, mainly asgardenornamental plants. Thefloriculture ofCamellia japonica started in China. Its widespread cultivation can be traced back to theSong Dynasty, when 15 varieties ofCamellia japonica were recorded in literature.[5]
Camellia japonica is a floweringtree orshrub, usually 1.5–6 metres (4.9–19.7 ft) tall, but occasionally up to 11 metres (36 ft) tall. Some cultivated varieties achieve a size of 72 m2 or more. The youngest branches are purplish brown, becoming grayish brown as they age.[6]
The alternately arranged leathery leaves are dark green on the top side, paler on the underside, usually 5–11 centimetres (2.0–4.3 in) long by 2.5–6 centimetres (1.0–2.4 in) wide with a stalk (petiole) about 5–10 millimetres (0.2–0.4 in) long. The base of the leaf is pointed (cuneate), the margins are very finely toothed (serrulate) and the tip somewhat pointed.[4] The leaves are rich inanti-inflammatoryterpenoids such aslupeol andsqualene.[7]
In the wild, flowering is between January and March. The flowers appear along the branches, particularly towards the ends, and have very short stems. They occur either alone or in pairs, and are 6–10 centimetres (2.4–3.9 in) across.[citation needed]
There are about nine greenishbracteoles andsepals. Flowers of the wild species have six or seven rose or whitepetals, each 3–4.5 centimetres (1.2–1.8 in) long by 1.5–2.5 centimetres (0.6–1.0 in) wide; the innermost petals are joined at the base for up to a third of their length. (Cultivated forms often have more petals.) The numerousstamens are 2.5–3.5 centimetres (1.0–1.4 in) long, the outer whorl being joined at the base for up to 2.5 centimetres (1.0 in). The three-lobedstyle is about 3 centimetres (1.2 in) long.[4]
The Japanese white eye bird (Zosterops japonica) pollinatesCamellia japonica.[8]C. japonica flowers are important resources for flower-feeding insects and are visited by a number of insects, most of which are not pollinators but consumers.Dasiops sp. (Diptera) exploit flower buds.Drosophila unipectinata,D. oshimai, andD. lutescens (Diptera) andEpuraea commutata (Coleoptera) exploit fully opened, late, and fallen flowers.[9]
Thefruit consists of a globe-shaped capsule with three compartments (locules), each with one or two large brownseeds with a diameter of 1–2 centimetres (0.4–0.8 in). Fruiting occurs in September to October in the wild.[4]
The genusCamellia was named after a Jesuit priest and botanist namedGeorg Kamel.[10] The specific epithetjaponica was given to the species by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Despite its common name,Camellia japonica is indigenous to China. Camellia japonica has been growing wild since prehistoric times in theKantō region of western Japan, southern Korea, Taiwan, Zhejiang and Jiangsu.[3] In the Song Dynasty, 15 varieties of it were recorded in literature. The reasonCamellia japonica got its name was that Engelbert Kaempfer was one of the first Europeans to give a description of the plant when he first saw it in Japan.
Two varieties are distinguished in theFlora of China:C. japonica var.japonica andC. japonica var.rusticana[4][11]
C. japonica var.japonica is the form named by Linnaeus, and naturally occurs in forests at altitudes of 300–1,100 metres (980–3,610 ft) in Shandong, eastern Zhejiang in mainland China and in Taiwan, south Japan, and South Korea.[3] The leaf has aglabrous stem (petiole) about 1 centimetre (0.4 in) long. The bracteoles and sepals are velutinous (velvety). It flowers between January and March, and fruits in between September and October.[11] It is grown as a garden plant in the form of many cultivars throughout the world.
Camellia japonica var.rusticana(Honda) T. L. Ming naturally occurs in forests in China. The leaf has a shorter petiole, about 5 millimetres (0.2 in) long, with fine hairs (pubescent) at the base. The bracteoles and sepals are smooth (glabrous) on the outside. The color of the flowers ranges from red through rose to pink, flowering in April to May. This variety is regarded by some botanical authorities to be a separate species:Camellia rusticana.[12]
In Japan it is known by the common name "yuki-tsubaki" (snow camellia) as it naturally occurs in areas of heavy snowfall at altitudes ranging from 1,100 metres (3,500 ft) down to 120 metres (400 ft) on sloping land under deciduous beech trees in the mountain regions to the north of the main island of Honshu and facing theSea of Japan.[3] In December heavy drifts of snow come in from the north, covering the plants to a depth of up to 2.4 metres (8 ft). The bushes remain covered by snow from December till the end of March when the snow melts in early Spring and the camellias start flowering.[13]
Cultivars ofC. japonica var.rusticana include: 'Nishiki-kirin', 'Nishiki-no-mine', 'Toyo-no-hikari' and 'Otome'.[citation needed]
Camellia japonica has appeared in paintings and porcelain in China since the 11th century. Early paintings of the plant are usually of the single red flowering type. However, a single white flowering plant is shown in the scroll of theFour Magpies of theSong Dynasty.[14]
The first records of camellias in Australia pertain to a consignment toAlexander Macleay of Sydney that arrived in 1826 and were planted in Sydney atElizabeth Bay House.[15]
In 1838 sixC. japonica plants were imported by the botanist, horticulturist and agriculturistWilliam Macarthur. During the years that followed he brought in several hundred varieties and grew them atCamden Park Estate.[16] For many years Macarthur's nursery was one of the main sources of supply to the colony in Australia of ornamental plants, as well as fruit trees and vines.[15]
In 1845, William Macarthur wrote to the London nurserymanConrad Loddiges, acknowledging receipt of camellias and mentioning: "I have raised four or five hundred seedlings of camellia, chiefly from seeds produced by 'Anemoniflora'. As this variety never has anthers of its own, I fertilised its blossoms with pollen ofC. reticulata and Sp.maliflora." Although most of Macarthur's seedling varieties have been lost to cultivation, some are still popular today, including 'Aspasia Macarthur' (named after him).[15]
A well-known camellia nursery in Sydney was "Camellia Grove", set up in 1852 by Silas Sheather who leased land adjoining theParramatta River on what was originally part ofElizabeth Farm.[17]Fuller's Sydney Handbook of 1877 describes his nursery as having 59 varieties of camellias.[18] Camellia and other flowers from Sheather's nursery were sent bysteamship downriver to florists at Sydney Markets, tied in bunches and suspended from long pieces of wood which were hung up about the decks.[17][19] Silas Sheather developed a number of camellia cultivars, the most popular (and still commercially grown) wereC. japonica 'Prince Frederick William' andC. japonica 'Harriet Beecher Sheather', named after his daughter.[18][20] The area in the vicinity of Sheather's nursery was eventually made a suburb and namedCamellia, in honor of Camellia Grove nursery.[21][22]
By 1883, Shepherd and Company, the leading nurserymen in Australia at the time, listed 160 varieties ofCamellia japonica.[16]
Associate ProfessorEben Gowrie Waterhouse was a scholar, linguist, garden designer and camellia expert who brought about a worldwide revival of interest in the genus in the first half of the twentieth century.[23] The E.G. Waterhouse National Camellia Garden inSydney, Australia is named after him.[24]
According to a research conducted in 1959, by Dr. Frederick Meyer, of the United States Department of Agriculture, the camellias of Campo Bello (Portugal) are the oldest known specimens in Europe, which would have been planted around 1550, that is to say, these trees are nowadays approximately 460 years old.[25] However it is said that the camellia was first brought to the West in 1692 byEngelbert Kaempfer, Chief Surgeon to the Dutch East India Company. He brought details of over 30 varieties back from Asia.[citation needed] Camellias were introduced into Europe during the 18th century and had already been cultivated in the Orient for thousands of years. Robert James of Essex, England, is thought to have brought back the first live camellia to England in 1739. On his return fromDejima,Carl Peter Thunberg made a short trip to London where he made the acquaintance ofSir Joseph Banks. Thunberg donated toKew Botanic Gardens four specimens ofCamellia japonica. One of these was supposedly given in 1780 to the botanical garden ofPillnitz Castle nearDresden in Germany where it currently measures 8.9 metres (29 feet) in height and 11 metres (36 feet) in diameter.[26]
The oldest trees ofCamellia japonica in Europe can be found inCampobello (Portugal),Caserta (Italy) andPillnitz (Germany).[27] These were probably planted at the end of the 16th century.
In the U.S., camellias were first sold in 1807 as greenhouse plants, but were soon distributed to be grown outdoors in the south.[10]
In Charleston, South Carolina, the estate garden of Magnolia-on-the-Ashley introduced hundreds of newCamellia japonica cultivars from the 19th century onwards, and its recently restored collection has been designated an International Camellia Garden of Excellence. "Debutante", a popular variety, was originally introduced by Magnolia as "Sarah C. Hastie". The name was changed to give it more marketing appeal.[citation needed]
Cross-breeding of camellias has produced many cultivars which are tolerant ofhardiness zone 6 winters. These camellia varieties can grow in the milder parts of the lower Midwest (St. Louis, for example), Pacific Northwest, NYC area (NYC/NJ/CT), and even Ontario, Canada (near edge of the Great Lakes).[citation needed]
It is the official state flower of the US state ofAlabama.[28]
Camellia japonica is valued for its flowers, which can be single, semi-double ordouble flowered.[10] There are more than 2,000cultivars developed fromC. japonica. The shade of the flowers can vary from red to pink to white; they sometimes have multi-coloured stripes or specks. Cultivars include 'Elegans' with large pink flowers which often have white streaks, 'Giulio Nuccio' with red to pinkish petals and yellow stamens, 'Mathotiana Alba' with pure white flowers, and the light crimson semi-double-flowered'The Czar'.[29]
C. japonica 'Alba Plena' is nicknamed the "Bourbon Camellia". Captain Connor of theEast IndiamanCarnatic,[30] brought the flower to England in 1792.[31] The flowers are pure white and about 3 to 4 inches across. It blooms earlier than most cultivated camellias, in the early winter or spring, and can flower for 4 to 5 months.[32]
The zig-zag camellia orC. japonica 'Unryu' has different zig-zag branching patterns. "Unryu" means "dragon in the clouds" in Japanese; the Japanese believe it looks like a dragon climbing up to the sky. Another type of rare camellia is called the fishtail camellia orC. japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki'. The tips of the leaves of this plant resemble a fish's tail.[33]
The following is a selection of cultivars that have gained theRoyal Horticultural Society'sAward of Garden Merit:
| Name | Height (m) | Spread (m) | Flower colour | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelina Patti | 2.5 | 2.5 | pink/white | [34] |
| Adolphe Audusson | 8 | 8 | red | [35] |
| Akashigata | 2.5 | 2.5 | rose-pink | [36] |
| Alexander Hunter | 4.0 | 4.0 | deep crimson | [37] |
| Annie Wylam | 4.0 | 2.5 | pale pink | [38] |
| Australis | 4.0 | 2.5 | rose red | [39] |
| Berenice Boddy | 4.0 | 2.5 | pale pink | [40] |
| Bob Hope | 4.0 | 2.5 | deep red | [41] |
| Bob's Tinsie | 2.5 | 1.0 | bright red | [42] |
| Bokuhan | 1.0 | 1.0 | bright red | [43] |
| C.M. Hovey | 4.0 | 2.5 | rose pink | [44] |
| Carter's Sunburst | 4.0 | 2.5 | blush pink | [45] |
| Commander Mulroy | 2.5 | 1.5 | white | [46] |
| Drama Girl | 4.0 | 2.5 | rose pink | [47] |
| Gloire de Nantes | 2.5 | 2.5 | rose pink | [48] |
| Grand Prix | 8.0 | 8.0 | red | [49] |
| Grand Slam | 4.0 | 4.0 | red | [50] |
| Guilio Nucco | 4.0 | 2.5 | deep pink | [51] |
| Hagoromo | 4.0 | 2.5 | blush pink | [52] |
| Hakurakuten | 4.0 | 2.5 | white | [53] |
| Joseph Pfingstl | 4.0 | 4.0 | deep red | [54] |
| Jupiter | 4.0 | 2.5 | rose red | [55] |
| Lavinia Maggi | 4.0 | 4.0 | white/cerise | [56] |
| Margaret Davies | 4.0 | 2.5 | white/red | [57] |
| Mars | 4.0 | 4.0 | deep red | [58] |
| Masayoshi | 4.0 | 4.0 | red/white | [59] |
| Mercury | 2.5 | 2.5 | crimson | [60] |
| Nuccio's Jewel | 4.0 | 2.5 | white/rose | [61] |
| Sylva | 4.0 | 2.5 | crimson | [62] |
| Tricolor | 4.0 | 4.0 | white/red | [63] |
| Wilamina | 2.5 | 2.5 | pink | [64] |
For a full list of AGM camellia cultivars, seeList of Award of Garden Merit camellias
Camellia flower forms are quite varied but the main types are single, semi-double, formal double, informal double and elegans (or anemone) form.[citation needed]
Single flowers have five to a maximum of eight petals in one row, petals loose, regular or irregular. May include petaloids; prominent display of stamens & pistils.[citation needed]
Two or more rows of large regular, irregular or loose outer petals (nine or more) with an uninterrupted cluster of stamens. May include petaloids; petals may overlap or be set in rows for 'hose in hose' effect.[citation needed]
A semi-double with one or more petaloids interrupting the cluster of stamens.[citation needed]
Many rows and number of petals (sometimes more than a hundred), regularly disposed, tiered or imbricated, but no visible stamens. Usually with a central cone of tightly furled petals.[citation needed]
One or more rows of large outer petals lying flat or undulating, with a mass of intermingled petaloids and stamens in the center. Also called "Anemone Form".[citation needed]
A mass of raised petals with petaloids (parts of the flower that have assumed the appearance of small, narrow or twisted petals). Stamens may or may not be visible. Also called "Peony Form".[citation needed]
Camellias should be planted in the shade in organic, somewhat acidic, semi-moist but well drained soil. If the soil is not well drained, it can cause the roots to rot.[65]
As aCamellia species,C. japonica can be used to make tea. Its processed leaves show aromatic fragrance. It contains caffeine and catechins of the same kind asC. sinensis.[66]
Some fungal and algal diseases include: Spot Disease, which gives the upper side of leaves a silver color and round spots, and can cause loss of leaves; Black Mold; Leaf Spot; Leaf Gall; Flower Blight, which causes flowers to become brown and fall; Root Rot; and Canker caused by the fungusGlomerella cingulata, which penetrates plants through wounds. Some insects and pests ofC. japonica are the Fuller Rose BeetlePantomorus cervinus, themealybugsPlanococcus citri[67] andPseudococcus longispinus, theweevilsOtiorhyncus salcatus andOtiorhyncus ovatus, and the tea scaleFiorinia theae.[citation needed]
Some physiological diseases include salt injury which results from high levels of salt in soil;chlorosis which is thought to be caused lack of certain elements in the soil or insufficient acidity preventing their absorption by the roots; bud drop which causes loss or decay of buds, and can be caused by over-watering, high temperatures, or pot-bound roots. Other diseases areoedema and sunburn. Not much is known about viral diseases inC. japonica.[68]
C. japonica leaves are eaten by thecaterpillars of someLepidoptera, such as theengrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia).[citation needed]
Camellias are used to make teas and medicinal tinctures. See the overview atUses of Camellia.
InJapanese literature, camellia flowers unfurling in early spring symbolise the virtue of resilience and beauty in modesty, while the whole flowers dropping off the camellia plants (ochi tsubaki) are likened to a beheadedsamurai's head.[69][70] TheFurutsubaki-no-rei is a japaneseyōkai said to develop from old camellia trees.[71]
Camellias are seen as lucky symbols for theChinese New Year and spring and were even used as offerings to the gods during the Chinese New Year. It is also thought that Chinese women would never wear a Camellia in their hair because it opened much later after the bud formed. This was thought to signify that she would not have a son for a long time.[14]
The following is a poem written by English evangelical Protestant writerCharlotte Elizabeth Tonna in 1834:[72]
THE WHITE CAMELLIA JAPONICA.
Thou beauteous child of purity and grace,
What element could yield so fair a birth?
Defilement bore me — my abiding place
Was mid the foul clods of polluted earth.
But light looked on me from a holier sphere,
To draw me heavenward — then I rose and shone;
And can I vainly to thine eye appear,
Thou dust-born gazer? make the type thine own.
From thy dark dwelling look thou forth, and see
The purer beams that brings a lovelier change for thee.
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