Camellia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. It is famous throughout East Asia and native to eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalaya east to Korea and Indonesia. Camellia sinensis or tea plant, is the most famous, though often not recognized as a camellia. The most widely-known ornamental species is Camellia japonica.
Camellia is an evergreen shrub and small tree of 2-20m tall. The glossy leaves are 3-17cm long and large conspicuous flowers of 1-12cm in diameter. Most cultivars and hybrids of camellia are grown for their flowers which come in vast range of colors and shapes.
Larvae of a number of Lepidoptera species feed on camellia leaves while the leaves of Camellia japonica are
parasitized by the fungus Mycelia sterile. The Camellia parasite Mycelia sterile produces a metabolite called PF1022A and is used to produce emodepside, an anthelmintic drug ( drug that expel parasitic worms or helminths from the body).
Camellia is generally adapts well to fertile, well-drained acidic soil. Most species loves high rainfall but certain species from karst in Vietnam can tolerate drought. Camellia has a fast growth rate, about 30cm a year until mature but varies depending on the variety and location. Propagation is done by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or late winter; graft in late winter. Aphids, scale insects, honey fungus and leaf spot are the many pests and diseases for Camellia.
Camellia japonica rosa http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Camellia_japonica_rosa.JPG Macarron
Camellia japonica http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Camellia_japonica-IMG_2052.jpg C T Johansson
Camellia japonica http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Camellia_japonica-IMG_2051.jpg C T Johansson
Camellia japonica, cv Colombo http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Camellia.japonica.cv.Colombo.7168.jpg Olaf Leillinger
Camellia japonica http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Camellia_japonica_002.JPG H. Zell
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Camellia_japonica_rosa.JPG
Macarron
