Tea-oil
Camellia oleifera

Family: Theaceae

What it is like

A shrub. In forests it can be a small tree. It grows 3-4 cm high. The young branches are hairy. New growth is bright yellow-green. The leaves are leathery and narrowly oblong. They are 3-5 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The flower buds are pink and the flowers are white. The flowers usually occur singly in the axils near the ends of branches. The fruit are round capsules about 2 cm across.

There are about 250-300 Camellia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on exposed grassy slopes. It is native to southern China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Britain, China, Europe, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

An edible oil is extracted from the seeds.

It is cultivated as a food plant.

Edible parts

Seeds - oil, flowers, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chau-kung, Du-tra, Hinguwa, So

Synonyms

Camellia banksiana Lindl. ex Champ.; Camellia drupifera Lour.; Camellia obscura Nakai; Camellia oleosa (Lour.) Rehder; Camellia podogyna (H. Lev.) Melch.; Camellia sasanqua Blanco [Illegitimate]; Drupifera oleosa (Lour.) Raf.; Thea biflora Hayata; Thea drupifera (Lour.) Pierre; Thea oleifera (Abel) Rehder & E. H. Wilson; Thea podogyna H. Lev.; Thea sasanqua var. loureiroi Pierre;