Camellia pitardii

Family: Theaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-7 m tall. The leaves are narrowly oval and 6-10 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. They are pale green underneath. The flowers occur singly near the ends of branches. They are red, pink or white and 5-6 cm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests and thickets between 500-2,500 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China

How it is used for food

The seeds yield an edible oil. The flower petals are used as a potherb.

Edible parts

Flowers, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or from hardwood cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Camellia pitardii var. alba H. T. Chang; Camellia pitardii f. alba (Hung T. Chang) T. L. Ming; Camella pitardii var. pitardii; Camellia xifongensis Y. K. Li ex X. C. Chen & F. Z. Zheng; Thea cavaleriana H. Lev.; Thea pitardii (Cohen-Stuart) Rehder;