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Camellia sinensis

Tea

Pronunciation
ca-MEEL-e-a sy-NEN-sis
Family
Genus
Nativity

China

Growth Habit

Medium sized, rounded shrub.

Hardiness
7
Culture

Full sun to shade and adaptable to soil type. Does not grow well in excessive water. Is tolerant of heat and drought, much better than most plants in the Theaceae family.

Facultative Status
Tolerant of many soil conditions
Landscape Use

Fine evergreen shrub with fragrant white flowers and glossy green leaves, especially adapted to shady environments, and easily maintained. Plant can perform well in full sun and comes in a variety of cultivars.

Foliage

Glossy dark green. Alternate, elliptic, serrate, 2 to 4.5 inches long. This is the plant from which tea is made.

Buds

Tea is an unsung treasure of the Camellia world. Its more hardy than either C. japonica and C. sasanqua and its heat and drought tolerant. Tea isn't picky about soil or light requirements. Its useful for mass plantings and for grouping in semi-shady-shady spots. Although the flowers aren't as amazing as some of the other members of the Camellia group, the white flowers are quite beautiful and several cultivars, including a pink form are available. The dried leaves are believed to have medicinal properties used by the Chinese for thousands of years.

Flower

Solitary or in groups of three in the axils of the leaves. The flowers have 7-8 white petals that form a 1 to1.5 inch diameter flower. Flowers are present in the autumn (October) but are largely hidden by the foliage. Flowers are fragrant.

Fruit

.75 inch capsule

Propagation

Seed, cuttings.

Pests
None serious.

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