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Camellia japonica
  • Camellia

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Camellia genus in the family Theaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral
    Very acid to Neutral
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Camellia japonica has 0 edible uses listed
Camellia japonica has 0 material uses listed
Camellia japonica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[1][2][3]. It is called 'tsubaki oil'[4].

Dried flowers - cooked[3]. Used as a vegetable or mixed with gelatinous-rice to make a Japanese food called 'mochi'[4].

The leaves are a tea substitute[5][6][7][4].

Flowers

Unknown use

Unknown part

Oil
Tea

Material uses

A non-drying oil is obtained from the seed - used as a hair-dressing[8][2]. The oil consists mainly of olein it is not subject to polymerize or oxidize, nor does it form solids at low temperatures[9]. A green dye is obtained from the pink or red petals[10].

Unknown part

Dye
Oil

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The flowers are astringent, antihaemorrhagic, haemostatic, salve and tonic[7][11]. When mixed with sesame oil they are used in the treatment of burns and scalds[11]. The plant has shown anticancer activity[11].

Unknown part

Astringent
Cancer
Haemostatic
Salve
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - can be sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[12]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water and the hard covering around the micropyle should be filed down to leave a thin covering[13][12][14]. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 23°c[14]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are more than 15cm tall and give them some protection from winter cold for their first year or three outdoors[K].

Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, August/September in a shaded frame. High percentage but slow[13]. Cuttings of firm wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, end of June in a frame[1][13]. Keep in a cool greenhouse for the first year[1].

Leaf-bud cuttings, July/August in a frame.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Camellia japonica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a woodland soil but thrives in a warm open well-drained loam if leafmould is added[15][1][16]. A calcifuge plant, preferring a pH around 5[1][16]. Prefers the partial shade of a light woodland[16], it also grows well on a north-west aspect[1] and on sunless walls[17]. This is a very cold hardy plant, but it cannot tolerate cold winds[1]. Plants should be given a position shaded from the morning sun in order to protect the flowers from late frosts[18].

Prefers a wet summer and a cool but not very frosty dry winter[16]. Plants are not very self-compatible, self-fertilized flowers produce few seeds and these are of low viability[16]. A very ornamental plant[1]. A large amount of named forms have been developed, mainly for their ornamental value[1][16]. Many of them tolerate full sun[19][16].

Camellias are a valuable commercial crop in Asia, where they are cultivated for the oil obtained from their seed. Many of the cultivars grown in Britain do not set seed, unfortunately. The following cultivars have been seen with good crops of seeds:- 'Alba Simplex'; 'Coppelia'; 'Guillio Nuccio'; 'Jupiter'[K].The sub-species C. japonica macrocarpa. Masam. has larger fruits than the type, looking like small apples. The sub-species C. japonica rusticana (Honda.)Kitamura. is a hardier form from N. Japan where it grows at higher altitudes than the species and withstands long snowy winters[1][18].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Camellia japonica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Camellia japonica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Camellia japonica
Genus
Camellia
Family
Theaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[7][11]
Material uses & Functions
[8][2][9][10]
Botanic
[1][20][16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    10 x 8 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.001.011.021.031.041.051.061.071.081.091.101.11 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press ISBN 0-12-136450-x (1975-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    8. ? 8.08.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()
    10. ? 10.010.1 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. (1989-00-00)
    15. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.416.516.616.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    17. ? Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.1 Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
    19. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    20. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)

    "image:Camellia japonica SZ82.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Facts about "Camellia japonica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyTheaceae +
    Belongs to genusCamellia +
    Has common nameCamellia +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use +, Oil + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeBee +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has imageCamellia japonica SZ82.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye + and Oil +
    Has mature height10 +
    Has mature width8 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +, Cancer +, Haemostatic +, Salve + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageCamellia japonica SZ82.jpg +
    Has search namecamellia japonica + and x +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid + and Neutral +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameCamellia japonica +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +