Camellia reticulata

Camellia reticulata
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Theaceae
Genus:	Camellia
Species:	C. reticulata
Binomial name
Camellia reticulata Lindl.
Synonyms[1]
Camellia albescens H.T.Chang Camellia albosericea H.T.Chang Camellia bailinshanica H.T.Chang, H.S.Liu & G.X.Xiang Camellia bambusifolia H.T.Chang, H.S.Liu & Y.Z.Zhang Camellia borealiyunnanica H.T.Chang Camellia brevicolumna H.T.Chang, H.S.Liu & Y.Z.Zhang Camellia brevigyna H.T.Chang Camellia brevipetiolata H.T.Chang Camellia chunii H.T.Chang Camellia heterophylla Hu Camellia huiliensis H.T.Chang Camellia jinshajiangica H.T.Chang & S.L.Lee Camellia kangdianica H.T.Chang, H.S.Liu & G.X.Xiang Camellia kweichowensis H.T.Chang Camellia lanosituba H.T.Chang Camellia oligophlebia H.T.Chang Camellia paucipetala H.T.Chang Camellia pentapetala H.T.Chang Camellia pentaphylacoides H.T.Chang Camellia pentaphylax H.T.Chang Camellia phelloderma H.T.Chang, H.S.Liu & Y.Z.Zhang Camellia stichoclada H.T.Chang Camellia subliberopetala H.T.Chang Camellia xichangensis H.T.Chang Camellia xylocarpa (Hu) H.T.Chang ex H.T.Chang & B.Bartholmew Desmitus reticulata (Lindl.) Raf. Thea reticulata (Lindl.) Pierre Yunnanea xylocarpa Hu

Camellia reticulata (syn. C. heterophylla^[2]) is a species of Camellia native to southwestern China, in Yunnan Province. The wild populations are restricted to mixed mountain forest in western and central Yunnan.^[3]

It is a loosely branched shrub or small tree, which can grow up to 10 to 15 meters (33 to 49 ft) in height.^[4] The leaves are elliptic to oblong-elliptic, 5–11 centimetres (2.0–4.3 in) long and 4–5.5 centimetres (1.6–2.2 in) wide. The flowers are 7–10 centimetres (2.8–3.9 in) in diameter, or larger in some cultivars, soft-pink to deep-pink and rarely almost white, with 5–7 petals or more in some cultivars,^[5] and are produced in sub-terminal or axillary positions on the branch.^[5] The fruit is a light brown, three-segmented capsule, about 5 centimetres (2.0 in) in diameter that ripens in the fall^[6]

Symbolism and uses

It is the floral emblem of Yunnan. It has been cultivated for a long history both for tea oil and for its ornamental value.^[7]

References

1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 21 April 2015.
2. Species R-S
3. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
4. The Huntington:The Camellia Garden
5. Tianlu Min and Bruce Bartholomew (2007), "Camellia reticulata", Flora of China online 12, retrieved 21 April 2015
6. "A Fresh Look at Camellia reticulata". Articles — Pacific Horticulture. Pacific Horticulture. January 2001. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
7. "Camellias from China". Rhododendron Dell — Plant collections. Dunedin Botanic Garden. 8 Mar 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2016.